'
Abbot. Strongly put, though correctly. For the self-interest of
each it is which produces in the aggregate the happy equilibrium of
all.
C. Wal. Well--the world is right well made, that's certain; and He
who made the Jews' sin our salvation may bring plenty out of famine,
and comfort out of covetousness. But look you, Sirs, private
selfishness may be public weal, and yet private selfishness be just
as surely damned, for all that.
3d Count. I hold, Sir, that every alms is a fresh badge of slavery.
C. Wal. I don't deny it.
3d Count. Then teach them independence.
C. Wal. How? By tempting them to turn thieves, when begging fails?
By keeping their stomachs just at desperation-point? By starving
them out here, to march off, starving all the way, to some town, in
search of employment, of which, if they find it, they know no more
than my horse? Likely! No, Sir, to make men of them, put them not
out of the reach, but out of the need, of charity.
3d Count. And how, prithee? By teaching them, like our fair
Landgravine, to open their mouth for all that drops? Thuringia is
become a kennel of beggars in her hands.
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