"A superfluity of wealth, and a train of domestic slaves, naturally banish a sense of general liberty, and nourish the seeds of that kind of independence that usually terminates in aristocracy"
- Mercy Otis Warren
About this Quote
This quote by Mercy Otis Warren speaks to the risks of having excessive wealth and too many domestic slaves. When individuals have a lot of money and a lot of servants, they can become disconnected from the truth of the world and the struggles of the general population. This disconnect can cause a sense of superiority and privilege, which can lead to a desire for self-reliance from the rest of society. This kind of self-reliance can cause the development of an upper class, where a small group of people have all the power and wealth, while the remainder of the population is left with absolutely nothing. Warren's quote is a warning against the threats of having too much wealth and a lot of servants, as it can result in the development of an upper class that can be hard to break down.
"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it"