It is the tendency of the social burdens to crush out the middle class, and to force society into an organization of only two classes, one at each social extreme.
William Graham SumnerRead
The forgotten man... He works, he votes, generally he prays, but his chief business in life is to pay.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the struggles of the ordinary person who carries the weight of society's expectations and responsibilities.
William Graham Sumner's quote reflects the plight of the 'forgotten man' in society, emphasizing how he is often overlooked despite his contributions. He engages in essential societal functions such as working, voting, and praying, yet his primary role seems to be one of financial obligation, where he is reduced to merely paying taxes and bills. This statement critiques the societal structure that demands so much from individuals while giving little recognition or support in return.
Themes
SocietyForgotten ManResponsibilityWorkObligation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social justice, one might highlight Sumner's quote to emphasize the plight of the common worker.
More from William Graham Sumner
All quotes βWe shall find that every effort to realize equality necessitates a sacrifice of liberty.
William Graham SumnerRead
The Forgotten Man is delving away in patient industry, supporting his family, paying his taxes, casting his vote, supporting the church and the school, reading his newspaper, and cheering for the politician of his admiration, but he is the only one for whom there is no provision in the great scramble and the big divide. Such is the Forgotten Man. He works, he votes, generally he prays β but he always pays β yes, above all, he pays.
William Graham SumnerRead
The men who start out with the notion that the world owes them a living generally find that the world pays its 'debt' in the penitentiary or the poor house.
William Graham SumnerRead
We throw all our attention on the utterly idle question whether A has done as well as B, when the only question is whether A has done as well as he could.
William Graham SumnerRead
Civil liberty is the status of the man who is guaranteed by law and civil institutions the exclusive employment of all his own powers for his own welfare.
William Graham SumnerRead
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