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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hayes states that societal progress depends mainly on improving the condition of working people.
In plain terms
Society advances when workers are treated better.
What can you take from it?
Focus on workers to drive progress.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • labor relations
  • social reform

Putting it to work

  • improving labor conditions

Questions to consider

  • How do you define progress?
  • Who drives change?

Another view

It oversimplifies the factors of societal progress.

More from Rutherford B. Hayes

  1. Abolish plutocracy if you would abolish poverty. As millionaires increase, pauperism grows. The more millionaires, the more paupers.

    Permalink to quote #57
  2. Do not let your bachelor ways crystallize so that you can't soften them when you come to have a wife and a family of your own.

    Permalink to quote #59
  3. Unjust attacks on public men do them more good than unmerited praise.

    Permalink to quote #56

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