It is neither just nor human so to grind men down with excessive labour as to stupefy their minds and wear out their bodies.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the inhumanity and injustice of subjecting people to excessive labor that impacts their mental and physical well-being.
Pope Leo XIII highlights the moral implications of overworking individuals to the point of exhaustion, arguing that it is neither ethical nor humane to burden people with labor that dulls their minds and depletes their bodies. This sentiment calls for a more compassionate approach to work, advocating for the dignity and well-being of workers.
In practice
During a human rights conference, I could use this quote to emphasize the importance of fair labor practices.
Remember and understand well that where Peter is, there is the Church; that those who refuse to associate in communion with the Chair of Peter belong to Antichrist, not to Christ. He who would separate himself from the Roman Pontiff has no further bond with Christ.
These most crafty enemies [the devils] have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
The first law of history is to dread uttering a falsehood; the next is not to fear stating the truth; lastly, the historian's writings should be open to no suspicion of partiality or animosity.
The twentieth century must be a century of the Blessed Sacrament if it means to be a century of resurrection and of life
The empire of Christ the King includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith: so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ.
The devotion which God sends to the succor of His Church and of the nations at the present time is the devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist. It is the highest of all devotions.
The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying 'Thus saith the Lord;' it was not written by bad men because they would not write about doing good duty, while condemning sin, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration
The people are urged to be patriotic ... by sacrificing their own children. Patriotism requires allegience to the flag, which means obedience and readiness to kill father, mother, brother, sister.
Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.
Christianity has been successfully attacked and marginalized… because those who professed belief were unable to defend the faith from attack, even though its attackers’ arguments were deeply flawed.
I care much more about saving the lives of mothers and babies than I do about a fancy museum somewhere.
Travelers, there is no path, paths are made by walking.
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