Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
John RuskinRead
Large fortunes are all founded either on the occupation of land, or lending or the taxation of labor.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wealth is primarily derived from land, lending, or taxing work.
This quote by John Ruskin highlights the three main sources of substantial wealth in society: the ownership and exploitation of land, the practice of lending money that generates interest, and the taxation imposed on labor. It suggests that large fortunes are not just a result of individual talent or effort but are deeply rooted in systemic structures related to land use and economic practices.
Themes
WealthLandLaborEconomyTaxationFinance
In practice
Example use cases
In an economic discussion, this quote can help illustrate the foundations of wealth accumulation.
More from John Ruskin
All quotes βIn health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
John RuskinRead
You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
John RuskinRead
To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
John RuskinRead
See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
John RuskinRead
A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
John RuskinRead
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