The idea that political freedom can be preserved in the absence of economic freedom, and vice versa, is an illusion. Political freedom is the corollary of economic freedom.
Each epoch has found in the Gospels what it sought to find there, and has overlooked what it wished to overlook.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People interpret the Gospels based on their own desires and perspectives, often ignoring conflicting messages.
In this quote, Ludwig Von Mises suggests that different historical periods or cultures have approached the Gospels with pre-existing beliefs and objectives. As a result, they have extracted meanings that align with their own needs and aspirations while conveniently ignoring elements that challenge or contradict their views. This highlights the tendency of individuals and societies to conform narratives to their own contexts rather than engaging with diverse interpretations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the influence of religion in society during a community gathering.
More from Ludwig Von Mises
All quotes βWars of aggression are popular nowadays with those nations convinced that only victory and conquest could improve their material well-being.
Only stilted pedants can conceive the idea that there are absolute norms to tell what is beautiful and what is not. They try to derive from the works of the past a code of rules with which, as they fancy, the writers and artists of the future should comply. But the genius does not cooperate with the pundit.
The most serious dangers for American freedom and the American way of life do not come from without.
The public firm can nowhere maintain itself in free competition with the private firm; it is possible today only where it has a monopoly that excludes competition. Even that alone is evidence of its lesser economic productivity.
Whoever prefers life to death, happiness to suffering, well-being to misery must defend without compromise private ownership in the means of production.
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Cultivators of the earth are the most virtuous and independent citizens.
We're not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes.
Mitt Romney is the guy who said corporations are people. No, Governor Romney, corporations are not people.
Provided that any of those neighbours sing out of tune or have boots that squeak, or double chins, or odd clothes, the patient will quite easily believe that their religion must therefore be somehow ridiculous.
People 'demand' the opportunity to gamble away money they do not have, just like people 'demand' money from loan sharks at extortionate interest rates. This is a warped, empty type of freedom, in which the powerful are free to exploit the vulnerable.
Because creation was made in the image of a God who is equally one and many, the human race will finally be reunited and our racial and cultural diversity will remain intact in the renewed world. The human race finally lives together in peace and interdependence. Glory to God in the highest goes with peace on earth.