You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the
wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than
your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting
class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away
a man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them
what they could and should do for themselves.
William J. H. Boetcker, 1916
(often attributed to Lincoln)
Wow, great reply! My sentiments exactly.