Full Idea
Dedekind set up the axiom that the gap in his 'cut' must always be filled …The method of 'postulating' what we want has many advantages; they are the same as the advantages of theft over honest toil. Let us leave them to others.
Gist of Idea
Dedekind's axiom that his Cut must be filled has the advantages of theft over honest toil
Source
report of Richard Dedekind (Nature and Meaning of Numbers [1888]) by Bertrand Russell - Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy VII
Book Reference
Russell,Bertrand: 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1975], p.71
A Reaction
This remark of Russell's is famous, and much quoted in other contexts, but I have seen the modern comment that it is grossly unfair to Dedekind.
Related Idea
Idea 14436 A series can be 'Cut' in two, where the lower class has no maximum, the upper no minimum [Russell]