Assignment Nine

"The problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship. The conditions of human life have not only been changed, but revolutionized, within the past few hundred years. In former days there was little difference between the dwelling, dress, food, and environment of the chief and those of his retainers. . . . The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer with us to-day measures the change which has come with civilization. This change, however, is not to be deplored, but welcomed as highly beneficial. It is well, say, essential, for the progress of the race that the houses of some should be homes for all that is highest and best in literature and the arts, and for all the refinements of civilization, rather than that none should be so. Much better this great irregularity than universal squalor. Without wealth there can be no Meccenas."

This quote states that the lives of humans have changed in the last hundred years due to the advances in food, dress and shelter. These advances have made the gap between the rich and the poor bigger. but he states that this has not been a bad thing but a good thing. He also claims that due to the advances in civilization the people who are poor have also benefits from these advances and have better lives. The lives of the poor have been better and basic necessaries have still been met. He supported these changes and states that the fact that humans have advances is a great thing for the human race. It is a way the make sure that the human race can still succeed in the future and continue to populate. Moreover he claims that is is better for a few member of the human race to have wealth then no one at all. This way at somewhere their will be members of the human race that can experience the best in arts, literature and other wonders society has to offer.

The reason why I pick this quote because he showed the start of the capitalistic mind set. Today there are people protesting against the wealthy having all and the less fortunate having nothing, but back then this was supported  Today this is look at as unfair. A few people should not have all the wealth and power. People believe that this should be shared. That it is better for the human race if everyone is able to experience the best in life instead of a few being able to.  Back then Carnegie believe that some people should have wealth and the will advance the human race with their wealth. The good thing about Carnegie is that he believe that the wealth should help society and other with their money while they are alive. Since it is impossible to spend all their money in their lifetime they should try and do good with it while they are alive. He also believed that it was better to do this then to leave the money to hiers who might spend the money recklessly. This is something they weaethy people today shoud do, but insotead most of them keep their money to themselves and their familiues.