"One cannot but wonder at this constantly recurring phrase 'getting something for nothing,' as if it were the peculiar and perverse ambition of disturbers of society. Except for our animal outfit, practically all we have is handed to us gratis. Can the most complacent reactionary flatter himself that he invented the art of writing or the printing press, or discovered his religious, economic and moral convictions, or any of the devices which supply him with meat and raiment or any of the sources of such pleasure as may derive from literature or the fine arts? In short, civilization is little else than getting something for nothing."

— James Harvey Robinson

Posted at 09:59 AM on Thu. Mar 19, 2009 in category Quote of the Day, Culture  

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