History is only a tiresome repetition of one story. Persons and classes have sought to win possession of the power of the State in order to live luxu…

- William Graham Sumner

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, fortunately, the matter st…

- William Graham Sumner

If I want to be free from any other man's dictation, I must understand that I can have no other man under my control.

- William Graham Sumner

All history is only one long story to this effect: men have struggled for power over their fellow-men in order that they might win the joys of earth …

- William Graham Sumner

The Forgotten Man is delving away in patient industry, supporting his family, paying his taxes, casting his vote, supporting the church and the schoo…

- William Graham Sumner

Hunger, love, vanity, and fear. There are four great motives of human action.

- William Graham Sumner

It is not the function of the State to make men happy. They must make themselves happy in their own way, and at their own risk. The functions of the …

- William Graham Sumner

The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to d…

- William Graham Sumner

A drunkard in the gutter is just where he ought to be...The law of survival of the fittest was not made by man, and it cannot be abrogated by man. We…

- William Graham Sumner