"In vain do they think themselves innocent who appropriate to their own use alone those goods which God gave in common; by not giving to others that which they themselves receive, they become homicides and murderers, inasmuch as in keeping for themselves those things which would alleviate the sufferings of the poor, we may say that every day they cause the death of as many persons as they might have fed and did not. When, therefore, we offer the means of living to the indigent, we do not give them anything of ours, but that which of right belongs to them. It is less a work of mercy which we perform than the payment of a debt."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Gregory I, as quoted in George D. Herron, Between Caesar and Jesus (1899), pp. 111-112.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Property
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Property
88 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Property →
Related Quotes
"I know of no case in which you are to have a judicial proceeding, by which a man is to be deprived of any part of his…"
"The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property."
"Property is surely a right of mankind as really as liberty. Perhaps, at first, prejudice, habit, shame or fear, princ…"
"Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist."
"As long as Property exists, it will accumulate in Individuals and Families. As long as Marriage exists, Knowledge, Pr…"
"Nature gave all things in common for the use of all; usurpation created private rights. Property hath no rights. The …"
"γεωμετρῆσαι βούλομαι τὸν ἀέρα ὑμῖν διελεῖν τε κατὰ γύας."
"A man might say, "The things that are in the world are what God has made. ... Why should I not love what God has made…"
"Behold how only a few things suffice for you; nor does God ask much of you. Seek as much as He has given you, and fro…"
"Birth and wealth are conferred on some men as imperiously by nature, as genius, strength, or beauty."