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Poverty Quotes

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Poverty Quotes

“In the past we used to think of poverty in absolute terms - meaning straightforward material deprivation... We need to think of poverty in relative terms - the fact that some people lack those things which others in society take for granted.”

People Thinking Needs Facts Past Used Term Poverty Materials Absolutes Granted Relative Straightforward Deprivation

Author:David Cameron

“And so I continue in borderline poverty, save for my one indulgence, no, my single absolute necessity: I take cabs. Yes, on occasion, when I wish to see what people with unpleasant skin conditions are wearing, I do take the subway. I have never, I am proud to say, taken the bus, because people who take the bus have given up.”

People Given Wish Poverty Taken Conditions Proud Skins Absolutes Occasions Bus Indulgence Given Up Subway Cab Borderline

Book:I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey

Source: I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey

“Children, together with women, constitute 90 percent of all refugee populations on the planet as well as the vast majority of those living in absolute poverty: the 'feminization of poverty' means that children are poor, too, since most parenting is done by mothers.”

Wells Mean Children Done Together Mother Poor Poverty Planets Percent Absolutes Majority Population Refugee

Book:Saturday's Child: A Memoir

Source: Saturday's Child: A Memoir

“Expectations are usually predicated on the idea that the everyday things that happen to ordinary people shouldn't happen to you. People hold the idea of being ordinary in absolute contempt, so when they face an illness, poverty, or any kind of catastrophe, they say, 'I can't believe this happened to me.' And who did you think it was going to happen to - the woman across the street?”

“Not only subjective poverty is never overcome by growth, but absolute poverty is increased by it. ... Absolute misery grows while wealth increases.”

Grows Growth Wealth Poverty Economics Overcoming Increase Absolutes Misery Subjective

Book:The Second Crisis of Economic Theory: And Other Selected Papers from the American Economic Meeting, December 27-29, 1971

Source: The Second Crisis of Economic Theory: And Other Selected Papers from the American Economic Meeting, December 27-29, 1971

“We have imagined ourselves a special creation, set apart from other humans. In the last twentieth century, we see that our povertyis as absolute as that of the poorest nations. We have attempted to deny the human condition in our quest for power after power. It would be well for us to rejoin the human race, to accept our essential poverty as a gift, and to share our material wealth with those in need.”

“We are living in the richest country in the history of the world, yet we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country and millions of people are struggling to put food on the table. It is my absolute conviction that everyone in this country deserves a minimum standard of living and we've got to go forward in the fight to make that happen.”

People World Country Happens Fighting Poverty Millions Struggle Childhood Majors Highest Standards Deserve Absolutes Tables Rate Conviction Minimum World History Standards Of Living

Author:Bernie Sanders

“When I am asked, "What, in your view, is the worst human rights problem in the world today?" I reply: "Absolute poverty." This is not the answer most journalists expect. It is neither sexy nor legalistic. But it is true.”

World Humans Problem Today Answers Views Poverty Rights Worst Absolutes Human Rights Sexy Journalist World Today

Author:Mary Robinson

“Expectations are usually predicated on the idea that the everyday things that happen to ordinary people shouldn't happen to you. People hold the idea of being ordinary in absolute contempt, so when they face an illness, poverty, or any kind of catastrophe, they say, "I can't believe this happened to me." And who did you think it was going to happen to - the woman across the street? It makes them think, "I must be on the wrong path." But what if something you thought was bad was the best thing that ever happened to you? What if that was part of your path?”