John Hancock: Wealthy Villainy
on Wednesday, January 23, 2019John Hancock Money Quote saying that people show more respect for a well-to-do villain than a good and honest man is worth slavery for those who hold that view. John Hancock said:
“That people who pay greater respect to a wealthy villain than to an honest, upright man in poverty, almost deserve to be enslaved; they plainly show that wealth, however it may be acquired, is, in their esteem, to be preferred to virtue” — John Hancock
John Hancock is saying that people who respect wealth over virtue deserve to be enslaved. He argues that if someone respects a wealthy person who obtained their wealth through villainous or dishonest means more than a poor person who is honest and upright, they are showing that they value wealth above morality.
Hancock believes wealth should not be preferred or valued more highly than virtue and good character, regardless of how the wealth was acquired.
His quote criticizes judging or valuing people primarily based on their wealth or social status rather than their moral character.
Birthday: January 23, 1737 – Death: October 8, 1793