--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once Congress establishes that one person…" description: "\"Once Congress establishes that one person can live at the expense of another, it pays for everyone to try to do so.\" — Walter E. Williams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/walter-e-williams-2709_congress_once-congress-establishes-that-one-perso_767133.png" --- # Once Congress establishes that one person can live at the… ![“Once Congress establishes that one person can live at the expense of another, it pays for everyone to try to do so.” quote by Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/walter-e-williams-2709_congress_once-congress-establishes-that-one-perso_767133.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/walter-e-williams-2709_congress_once-congress-establishes-that-one-perso_767133.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7f/walter-e-williams-2709_congress_once-congress-establishes-that-one-perso_767133.png) > “Once Congress establishes that one person can live at the expense of another, it pays for everyone to try to do so.” [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a system allows one individual to profit from another’s labor, it creates an incentive for many to exploit similar arrangements. **In simple terms:** Exploiting others becomes a common goal if allowed. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist policies that enable exploitation. Themes economics ethics power policy inequality Mood critical concerned Type political ethical When to use this quote - labor negotiations - tax policy - welfare reform - corporate regulation Key Concepts exploitation incentive structures social contract Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance personal gain with collective responsibility? - What safeguards can prevent widespread exploitation? A Different Perspective Such dynamics can also lead to social unrest and reduced trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Congress Establishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress-establishes-5937821/) [Establishes Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishes-person-5937822/) [Expense Pays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expense-pays-5937823/) [Expenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expenses/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Pays Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pays-try-1253219/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [That one person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/that-one-person/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [Housekeeping? If it pays well, I might as well have a try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhang-ming/housekeeping-if-it-pays-well-i-might-as-well-have-a-try/) [Zhang Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhang-ming/) > [No human should be coerced by the state to bear the medical expense, or any other expense, for his fellow man. In other words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/no-human-should-be-coerced-by-the-state-to-bear-the-medical-expense/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [I've always felt that I was talking to one person. 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In fact, its not only possible for one person to make a difference, its essential that one person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-riley/one-person-can-make-a-difference-in-fact-its-not-only-possible-for/) [Bob Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-riley/) > [The lesson learned: Never take your loved ones for granted. And if you’re ever lucky enough to find that one person in life who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-lesson-learned-never-take-your-loved-ones-for-granted-and-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Walter E. Williams > [Vote for me. I'll use my office to take another American's money and give it to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/vote-for-me-i-ll-use-my-office-to-take-another-american-s-money-and/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [Elect me to office. I will protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. Because there's no constitutional authority for Congress spending on the objects of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/elect-me-to-office-i-will-protect-and-defend-the-u-s-constitution/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [More important than anything else is for Americans to wise up to class warfare demagoguery and reject the politics of envy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/more-important-than-anything-else-is-for-americans-to-wise-up-to/) [Walter E. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-e-williams/) > [Wal-Mart has become the whipping boy for political demagogues, unions and anti-traders. I suggest that they have the wrong target… Wal-Mart exists and prospers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-e-williams/wal-mart-has-become-the-whipping-boy-for-political-demagogues-unions/) [Walter E. 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