Leo Nikolaevich TolstoiLeo Nikolaevich Tolstoi, (1828-1910) Russian writer

Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoi Quote

“The more is given the less the people will work for themselves, and the less they work the more their poverty will increase.”

Leo Nikolaevich TolstoiLeo Nikolaevich Tolstoi
~ Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoi


Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

There are always a very few exceptions to this rule but, none the less, it is the rule. The other half of poverty's increase is a hostile business environment (more taxes, costs related to doing business, regulations, restrictions, etc.).

Anonymous, Reston, VA, US

While the basic quote rings true, it is not a justification for slavery or denying any human being the basic quality of life such as food, housing and health care. As it appears to be aimed at just such misuse, it gets a thumbs down.

jim k, Austin

This quote doesn't just "ring true", it is exactly true. It has nothing to do with "slavery" or "denying any human being the basic quality of life such as food, housing and health care". No one wants to deny anyone these items but it ain't the governments job to provide them, or rather it shouldn be.

cal, lewisville, tx

Anonymous, you must think we are all of an ant bed or bee hive. We are not social insects. Socialism will not work and the fall of Europe is now begining to prove that.

J Carlton, Calgary

When the 50% who are working figure out that the 50% who either work for the government or are career welfare recipients, will never contribute, but only steal...all incentive to work will be lost. And so goes Socialism, every time around.

Leo, Miami
  • Reply
Leo, Miami    4/5/10

The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of our is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight. Just look at the new cuban generection very sad

Waffler, Smith

The statement is generally true. That is why we have always had to import labor into this country. The landed arestocrats and the enriched later generations of colonists had money and wealth given to them so they had to bring Irish, Italians etcetera here to do the work. Anonymous is correct that such statements as this is gen erally useud to look down up those who seemingly have less and are considered lazy. The

Wayne, Naples

Thumbs-down anonymous, I don't have much. But I do not want the government to feed me, or house me, or care for my health. I want to be able to choose. I want freedom.

E Archer, NYC

Converting labor into goods and services is what makes a nation prosperous. Those living off of government assistance are not only taking from the industrious BUT are also not furthering the prosperity of any one. The point of welfare is not to keep the poor fed and housed but to keep the nation in debt. Liberal foolishness merely guarantees permanent oppression and poverty.

Elisabeth, Astoria, NY

Simple, direct and correct. I understand those whose thumbs are down, but either you live in Capitalism, in Socialism or in Communism. And just the United States has states with different degrees of freedom, so must the world, so that people may choose. So far, it looks like people or their ancestors have chosen the United States the most...

Waffler, Smith

Elisabeth I believe there are many more and diverse options than the ones you listed. We are cast into a black and white world. These economic terms that you used are of mans own making and we can make new terms and systems that pragmatically fill the needs of mankind. All we must do is to free our minds of terminology like you stated.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.