"A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul"

This quote by George Bernard Shaw recommends that a government that draws from one group of individuals (Peter) in order to give to an additional group (Paul) is likely to get assistance from the recipients of that support. Essentially, if the government is providing Paul cash, Paul will certainly support the federal government because he benefits from their plans, even if it is done at the expense of another person (Peter).

Shaw might have been criticizing welfare plans that take from the wealthier members of culture to support those that are financially disadvantaged. He suggests that the receivers of the welfare will support the federal government since they take advantage of the plan. At the very same time, those that are being tired to supply that welfare might not be as enthusiastic concerning the policy.

On the whole, the quote highlights the political fact that political leaders sometimes choose with the objective of getting support rather than doing what is finest for the nation all at once. It also recommends that different individuals have different interests and motivations, which can bring about disputes of rate of interest and stress within society.