As a means of alleviating poverty, Christian charity was worse than useless, as could be seen in the Papal states, which abounded in it. But it was popular not only among the traditionalist rich, who cherished it as a safeguard against the evil of equal rights... but also among the traditionalist poor, who were profoundly convinced that they had a right to crumbs from the rich man's table.
-Eric Hobsbawm
Select a background
More quotes by Eric Hobsbawm
Popular Authors
A curated listing of popular authors.