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

Of the child of wealth;

Now leans he on the staff of the beggar.

Thus are riches,

As the glance of an eye,

They are an inconstant friend.

By Virgil

(Latin epic poet, B.C. 70-19)

Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused!

(From the “Antigone” of Sophocles)