The forgotten man... He works, he votes, generally he prays, but his chief business in life is to pay.
William Graham SumnerRead
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 do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques philanthropic schemes that ignore the needs and desires of those they aim to help.
Sumner's quote highlights the critical flaw in many philanthropic and humanitarian efforts: they often overlook the perspectives and voices of those they seek to assist, referred to as 'C', or the 'Forgotten Man'. This neglect can distort the intentions of such schemes and fail to genuinely address the real needs and interests of the affected individuals, raising important questions about agency and representation in societal change.
Themes
PhilanthropyHumanitarianismForgotten ManAgencyRepresentation
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing the need for inclusive practices in social work at a community meeting.
More from William Graham Sumner
All quotes →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
We 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 — but he always pays — 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
Similar quotes
Lies are sufficient to breed opinion, and opinion brings on substance.
Francis BaconRead
Capitalism has been interpreted as an exclusively profit-centric human engagement. Some have been saying to bring people and planet into the picture. This can be a good change, but it is still not fully operationalized. Are you putting people, planet and profit at the same level?
Muhammad YunusRead
We believe that the spreading out and perpetuity of the institution of slavery impairs the general welfare. We believe - nay, we know, that that is the only thing that has ever threatened the perpetuity of the Union itself.
Abraham LincolnRead
Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
Both individuals and societies tell themselves stories to simplify and make sense of the messy chaos of reality.
Adam CurtisRead
Modern war appears as a struggle led by all the State apparatuses and their general staffs against all men old enough to bear arms.
Simone WeilRead