Friendship Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
““Ye friends to truth, ye statesmen who survey The rich man's joys encrease, the poor's decay, 'Tis yours to judge, how wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Traveller” (1764)
He urges leaders to judge the balance between wealth and happiness, warning against focusing solely on material gain.
In simple terms: Leaders should weigh wealth against happiness.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize societal well‑being.
Themes
politics
ethics
wealth
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community planning
- social research
- public debate
Key Concepts
justice
inequality
human flourishing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we measure a nation's true prosperity?
- What responsibilities do leaders have to the poor?
A Different Perspective
Economic growth can conflict with social equity.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
