“What is more humiliating than finding the object of your love unworthy?” — Jeanette Winterson, The Passion
Tag: worthiness
The Divine Divide
“The lowest classes do not envy the upper classes so long as the division between rich and poor is thought to be ordained by God. Beggars do not envy millionaires, though of course they will envy other beggars who are more successful.” — Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness
What is it about abuses of the system by a small minority of the poor that makes the conservatives so angry? Where does the sense of injustice come from? Why are the excesses of their peers so easily excused?
Is it that they believe their money comes from divine right or hard work? The unsuccessful blame bad luck. The successful rarely credit good luck.
The wealthy feel they are worth their worth and the things money can buy belong to the worthy. Leisure, power and worldly pleasures belong to the deserving. Unearned comforts must be outlawed because they invalidate the premise behind riches. It’s similar to how many of the religious believe in harsh punishments and call it justice. It’s needed to make the world fit their beliefs.
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