Civilized Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
“Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Common Law, 1881
Taxes are presented as the necessary contribution citizens make to maintain a civilized society.
In simple terms: Taxes fund civilization’s infrastructure and services
Key Takeaway
Recognize taxes as a societal contribution
Themes
economics
citizenship
social contract
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- public finance planning
- civic engagement discussions
- policy debates
Key Concepts
taxation
public goods
civil responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can tax systems balance fairness and societal needs?
- What defines a “civilized” society’s expenses?
A Different Perspective
Tax burden perception varies across groups
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
