The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest / The writings of philosophers, poets, novelists, social reformers, and others who have voiced the struggle against social injustice; selected from twenty-five languages; covering a period of five thousand years

by Unknown

Seeking Causes

By Plato

(Greek philosopher and poet, B.C. 428-347)

Neither drugs nor charms nor burnings will touch a deep-lying political sore any more than a deep bodily one; but only right and utter change of constitution; and they do but lose their labor who think that by any tricks of law they can get the better of those mischiefs of commerce, and see not that they hew at a hydra.

Concerning Usury[W]

(From “The Koran”)

(Arabic, A.D. 600)

To him who is of kin to thee give his due, and to the poor and to the wayfarer: this will be best for those who seek the face of God; and with them it shall be well.

Whatever ye put out at usury to increase it with the substance of others shall have no increase from God: but whatever ye shall give in alms, as seeking the face of God, shall be doubled to you.

(From the Psalms)

(Hebrew, B.C. 200)

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart....

He that putteth his money not out to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

By Aristotle

(Greek philosopher, B.C. Fourth Century)

Usury is the most reasonably detested of all forms of money-making; it is most against nature.

(From “Essay on Riches”)

By Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam

(English philosopher and statesman, 1561-1626)

The ways to enrich are many, and most of them foul....

Usury is the certainest means of gain, though one of the worst; as that whereby a man doth eat his bread with sweat of another’s face, and besides, doth plough upon Sundays.