The poor man who takes property by force is called a thief, but the creditor who can by legislation make a debtor pay a dollar twice as large as he borrowed is lauded as the friend of a sound currency. The man who wants the people to destroy the Government is an anarchist, but the man who wants the Government to destroy the people is a patriot.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bryan highlights the hypocrisy in labeling laws economic crimes as virtuous while condemning similar acts by the poor.
- In plain terms
- The same actions are judged differently depending on who does them and their wealth.
- What can you take from it?
- Legal and moral judgments often favor the wealthy over the poor.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does wealth influence legal definitions of crime?
- Are economic rules applied fairly to all?
Another view
The comparison between theft and debt inflation may not be legally equivalent.
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