Monday, August 10, 2009

Excellent Quote

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." ~~~~ Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931

3 comments:

Rachel Lundy said...

I agree. Very good quote.

Laura said...

Interesting quote, Zona with some truth in it. However, I think it completely ignores some realities, namely the Biblical call to take care of the poor and needy among us and the stark realities of institutional racism and discrimination that have made it nearly impossible for some in this country to get good paying jobs to support their families. So I don't think the issue is nearly as black and white as this quote makes it seem. Yes, it's true that people should work and not just rely on welfare. However, it is also true that there are those who cannot find work and they need help. I think the gray area in between the two poles that Dr. Rogers presents is probably where the solution lies. Just my two cents. See you soon!

Sharon said...

Excellent wisdom in this statement, Zona! I'm reminded of the Soviet refugee family who lived with us for a few months in Palmer. Coming from their system, they had no incentive to work. Nicolas, the father, said, "Nic like pink-ponk. Nic like fishink. Nic no like work." What was missing in his system was the fulfillment and rewards that come from setting a goal, exerting the effort, and completing a task. He had been robbed by his government when he learned that others would work and hand it to him!