Civilization Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
“I like to pay taxes. With them, I buy civilization.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Common Law,” 1881
Paying taxes funds civilization, implying civic duty builds society.
In simple terms: Taxes support civilization.
Key Takeaway
Pay taxes to support society.
Themes
civic duty
economics
society
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- citizen responsibility
- public policy
Key Concepts
public finance
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some resist paying taxes?
- How does tax policy affect social welfare?
A Different Perspective
Tax resistance can undermine public goods.
![“I'm a little old-fashioned - I like it when the man opens the door and I like it when a man pays for me. I particularly like it when they pay for dinner or whatever, because I've pretty much done the opposite, but for the exception of James [Taylor], where we split everything down the middle. I've…” quote by Carly Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1b1/carly-simon-9969_differences_i-m-a-little-old-fashioned-i-like-it-whe_950296.jpg)
