'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support him after.
A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.
And having looked to government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them. To avoid that evil, government will redouble the causes of it; and then it will become inveterate and incurable.
Don't gag people with welfare, they'll never make an effort.
Mothers born on relief have their babies on relief. Nothingness, truly, seems to be the condition of these New York people. They are nomads going from one rooming house to another, looking for a toilet that functions.
Public money is like holy water; everyone helps himself to it.
Religion was nearly dead because there was no longer real belief in future life; but something was struggling to take its place — service — social service — the ants creed, the bees creed.
Social Security is a government program with a constituency made up of the old, the near old and those who hope or fear to grow old. After 215 years of trying, we have finally discovered a special interest that includes 100 percent of the population. Now we can vote ourselves rich.