Single Idea 3920

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 4. Economic equality]

Full Idea

Render possessions ever so equal, men's different degrees of art, care, and industry will immediately break that equality.

Clarification

'Art' here means skill

Gist of Idea

If you equalise possessions, people's talents will make them unequal again

Source

David Hume (Enquiry concerning Principles of Morals [1751], III.II.155)

Book Reference

Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.194


A Reaction

This might not be so if there is a totalitarian restriction of economic freedom.