Quotes from William Graham Sumner

When, rather, were his name and interest ever invoked, when, upon examination, it did not plainly appear that somebody else was to win—somebody who was far too "smart" ever to be poor, far too lazy ever to be rich by industry and economy?

The function of science is to investigate truth. Science is colorless and impersonal. It

The whole system of social regulation by boards, commissioners, and inspectors consists in relieving negligent people of the consequences of their negligence and so leaving them to continue negligent without correction. That

Social improvement is not to be won by direct effort. It is secondary, and results from physical or economic improvements. That

When the people whose claims we are considering are told to apply themselves to these tasks they become irritated and feel almost insulted. They

Rights do not pertain to results, but only to chances. They

On the other hand, a man whose labor and self-denial may be diverted from his maintenance to that of some other man is not a free man, and approaches more or less toward the position of a slave. Therefore

In this country, where workmen move about frequently and with facility, the unions suffer in their harmony and stability. It

The fact that my neighbor has succeeded in this struggle better than I constitutes no grievance for me. Certain

Here, then, there would be a question of rights. The question whether voluntary charity is mischievous or not is one thing; the question whether legislation which forces one man to aid another is right and wise, as well as economically beneficial, is quite another question. Great

In the definition the word "people" was used for a class or section of the population. It is now asserted that if that section rules, there can be no paternal, that is, undue, government. That doctrine, however, is the very opposite of liberty and contains the most vicious error possible in politics. The truth is that cupidity, selfishness, envy, malice, lust, vindictiveness, are constant vices of human nature. They

Now, the aid which helps a man to help himself is not in the least akin to the aid which is given in charity. If

Secondly, the American workman really has such personal independence, and such an independent and strong position in the labor market, that he does not need the union. He is farther on the road toward the point where personal liberty supplants the associative principle than any other workman. Hence

What have our ancestors been striving for, under the name of civil liberty, for the last five hundred years? They have been striving to bring it about that each man and woman might live out his or her life according to his or her own notions of happiness and up to the measure of his or her own virtue and wisdom. How

A man who is present as a consumer, yet who does not contribute either by land, labor, or capital to the work of society, is a burden. On

The men who have not done their duty in this world never can be equal to those who have done their duty more or less well. If

He drops out of the ranks of workers and producers. Society must support him. It accepts the burden, but he must be cancelled from the ranks of the rulers likewise. So

Every improvement in education, science, art, or government expands the chances of man on earth. Such expansion is no guarantee of equality. On

They seem to think that interference is good if only they interfere. In

That a society of free men, co-operating under contract, is by far the strongest society which has ever yet existed; that

men who are taught to expect Government inspectors to come and take care of them lose all true education in liberty. If

THAT A FREE MAN IS A SOVEREIGN, BUT THAT A SOVEREIGN CANNOT TAKE "TIPS.

Every man in society is bound in nature and reason to contribute to the strength and welfare of society. He ought to work, to be peaceful, honest, just, and virtuous. A

Every man and woman in society has one big duty. That is, to take care of his or her own self. This is a social duty. For