“To continue in poverty for any long period means in the end the loss of the power of doing work, and to be unable to work means in the end pauperism.”

Discourse no. 4; vol. 1, p. 94.
Discourses on Art

The History of Freedom in Christianity (1877)
Context: The idea that the ends of government justify the means employed, was worked into system by Machiavelli. He was an acute politician, sincerely anxious that the obstacles to the intelligent government of Italy should be swept away. It appeared to him that the most vexatious obstacle to intellect is conscience, and that the vigorous use of statecraft necessary for the success of difficult schemes would never be made if governments allowed themselves to be hampered by the precepts of the copy-book.
His audacious doctrine was avowed in the succeeding age, by men whose personal character otherwise stood high. They saw that in critical times good men have seldom strength for their goodness, and yield to those who have grasped the meaning of the maxim that you cannot make an omelette if you are afraid to break the eggs. They saw that public morality differs from private, because no government can turn the other cheek, or can admit that mercy is better than justice. And they could not define the difference, or draw the limits of exception; or tell what other standard for a nation’s acts there is than the judgment which heaven pronounces in this world by success.

Source: The Glass Castle

Source: Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks

Source: 1984

Source: Their Morals and Ours

Source: Warrior of the Light

“Morality Critics”

"Vincent van Gogh, Part I" (1984)
Nothing If Not Critical (1991)