The Research Magnificent by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
page 86 of 450 (19%)
page 86 of 450 (19%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
Benham waited for a second or so before he broached his own idea.
"Why, first of all, at any rate, Billy, shouldn't one use one's money to make the best of oneself? To learn things that men without money and leisure find it difficult to learn? By an accident, however unjust it is, one is in the position of a leader and a privileged person. Why not do one's best to give value as that?" "Benham, that's the thin end of aristocracy!" "Why not?" "I hate aristocracy. For you it means doing what you like. While you are energetic you will kick about and then you will come back to this." "That's one's own look-out," said Benham, after reflection. "No, it's bound to happen." Benham retreated a little from the immediate question. "Well, we can't suddenly at a blow change the world. If it isn't to be plutocracy to-day it has to be aristocracy." Prothero frowned over this, and then he made a sweeping proposition. "YOU CANNOT HAVE ARISTOCRACY," he said, "BECAUSE, YOU SEE--ALL MEN ARE RIDICULOUS. Democracy has to fight its way out from under plutocracy. There is nothing else to be done." |
|