Country Quote by William Cowper
“Ten thousand casks, Forever dribbling out their base contents, Touch'd by the Midas finger of the state, Bleed gold for ministers to sport away. Drink, and be mad then; 'tis your country bids!”
About This Quote
State‑controlled wealth extraction enriches officials while draining the populace.
In simple terms: State drains wealth for elites.
Key Takeaway
Beware of corruption and demand transparency.
Themes
economics
corruption
politics
Mood
cynical
urgent
reflective
Type
satirical
political
When to use this quote
- public spending
- tax policy
- political patronage
Key Concepts
state patronage
wealth redistribution
Questions to Reflect On
- How does state wealth extraction affect daily life?
- What reforms could reduce elite enrichment?
A Different Perspective
May use poetic exaggeration.
![“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)
