More harm has been done by GOV, under the guise of a equalizing income, that has ever been done by the pursuit of wealth. Money earned by an individual is a voucher that proves that he has served someone else's interest. Sadly our GOV. Has counterfeited that honorable voucher into a form of vote buying program by a system of government where the least capable to administer are elected by the least capable of being productive, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. That is the root of all evil, To pretend to aid the citizenry in exchange for their vote and then robing their self-reliance, dignity and self-respect. "If you take away a Man's ability to be hungry cold and wet, he will cease to be a man but a pet” Old Puerto Rican Proverb

Rome Had Welfare

Roman social welfare was introduced on a large scale by Gaius Gracchus (158-122 BC). All citizens of Rome were entitled to buy a monthly ration of grain at a fixed price. This subsidized food program (The Gaius Gracchus) immediately became the weapon of choice for the ruler to stay in high favor with the crowd and to maintain control over the political power. Cheap grain was initially sold to individual willing to queue up without any means test. Initially about 50,000 people used this benefit. The food subsidies policy evolved gradually over a long period of time. The number of people living on public social assistance increased and few rulers in power dared to put an end to it. The first ruler to make an attempt was the great commander Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138-78 BC), but it was stopped by severe social riots forcing him to retreat. Then no less than 200,000 Roman citizens received public social assistance and did stand up in defense of their “right to cheap basic food”.
Sadly, most of our understanding of ancient history comes from fictional Hollywood films.

As for the quote. I read Latin very poorly and as such can only read what some one else has interpreted.