Acquire Quote by Sheldon Richman
“Those who create the wealth naturally want to keep it and devote it to their own purposes. Those who wish to expropriate it look for ever more-clever ways to acquire it without inciting resistance. One of those ways is the spreading of an elaborate ideology of statism, which teaches that the people are the state and that therefore they are only paying themselves when they pay taxes.”
About This Quote
Wealth creators tend to protect and direct their resources for personal goals, while others seek clever, non‑confrontational ways to seize wealth, often using state‑centric ideologies that mask exploitation.
In simple terms: Rich people protect wealth; others try to take it using clever state ideas.
Key Takeaway
Guard your assets and scrutinize political narratives.
Themes
wealth
power
politics
ideology
exploitation
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- business ownership
- tax policy debates
- political campaigns
- activist movements
Key Concepts
property rights
state theory
economic control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate legitimate state functions from exploitation?
- What safeguards can protect wealth without stifling social responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Such ideologies can also justify legitimate taxation and public services.
![“The trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some [wealth] redistribution -- because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a shot.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23f/barack-obama-17_believe_the-trick-is-figuring-out-how-do-we-stru_910634.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
