How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"The Government justifies keeping everyone else in poverty because people seem to work the hardest when they're right on the edge of survival," he continued. "The Government does try to make sure that most people--the ones who cooperate--do survive. If you've heard your parents talking about other farmers, you'll know that nobody loses their farms anymore. But, also, nobody ever makes enough to live comfortably." (28.36)
Surprise, surprise: turns out, the Government actually wants everyone to stay poor. We're not so sure about the logic here, though. Once you're on the edge of survival, working hard just seems like a waste of energy—especially if you know the government is just going to take your woods, your pigs, and your money.