Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
AristotleRead
Yet the true friend of the people should see that they be not too poor, for extreme povery lowers the character of the democracy; measures therefore should be taken which will give them lasting prosperity; and as this is equally the interest of all classes, the proceeds of the public revenues should be accumulated and distributed among its poor, if possible, in such quantities as may enable them to purchase a little farm, or, at any rate, make a beginning in trade or husbandry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True friends of the people should work to eliminate extreme poverty, as it negatively affects democracy and encourages prosperity for all.
In this quote, Aristotle emphasizes the importance of addressing extreme poverty as a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy. He argues that a true friend of the people should ensure that measures are taken to provide lasting prosperity, underlining that the well-being of the less fortunate contributes to the greater good of society. This perspective advocates for the fair distribution of public resources to empower the poor, enabling them to improve their lives through trade and agriculture.
Themes
FriendshipPovertyDemocracyProsperityPublic RevenueTradeAgriculture
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social justice, one might quote Aristotle to emphasize the need for economic support for the less fortunate.
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