Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 637

 

On John Locke:

“(Locke) makes a great deal of the imperishable character of the precious metals, which, he says, are the source of money and inequality of fortune.

“He seems, in an abstract and academic way, to regret economic inequality but he certainly does not think that it would be wise to take such measures as might prevent it.

“No doubt he was impressed, as all men of his time were, by the gains to civilization that were due to rich men, chiefly as patrons of art and letters.

“The same attitude exists in modern America, where science and art are largely dependant upon the benefactions of the very rich.

“To some extent, civilization is furthered by social injustice. This fact is the basis of what is most respectable in conservatism.”

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