"Are not all the advantages in our society reserved for the rich and powerful? Are not lucrative employments held by them alone? Are not the public authorities entirely at their service? If an influential man defrauds his creditors or commits other villainies, can he not count on the impunity of law? If he is guilty of violence and murder, is not everything hushed up and after six months no longer referred to? But if this same man is robbed, the whole police is at once set in motion, and woe betide the innocent upon whom the suspicion falls! Should this man has to pass through a dangerous place, he is provided with a large escort. If the axle of his carriage breaks, all fly to assist him. If there is noise at his door, a word from him and all is silence. If a crowd incommodes him, a sign and all are scattered. If he finds a carter in his way, his servant rain blow upon him. All these conveniences cost him nothing, since the rich are entitled to enjoy them without expending their own wealth on such trifles. But how different is the spectacle of the poor man! The more compassion the society owes him the less he receives. All doors are closed to him, even when he has the right to have them opened. Should he once in a way obtain justice, he has to labour more for it than others for a favour. He not only bears his own burdens, but those of his neighbours has managed to shift on to his back . At the least accidents that befall him, all leave him to his fate. All gratuitous aids are refused to him as he is not paying for it. And woe betide him if he has the misfortune to possess an honest soul, a beautiful daughter or a powerful neighbour" Rousseau, true then true now
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:23:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015