LAD #21 Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Carnegie starts off by saying that the problem of his age was the administration of wealth in society. He states that in earlier times, the distribution of wealth was more even compared to now. He says this change came with the evolving of civilization. This change, he says, is not a bad thing though because there needs to be homes full of art, literature, and other "refinements of civilization". If we went back to our old ways without those refinements of civilization, then it would sweep away civilization with it. Carnegie goes on to say that his wealth will not sit in a bank for hundreds of years, but will be spent on the community. This money in the community would be "required for the comfortable maintenance and education of families". He says the money of rich folks can be saved away for years to come, or it can be spent on the public, for the public. Carnegie wanted his money not only to be left to his family, but the whole city of Pittsburgh. He says that a man who leaves his money to the public after his death is just trying to dispose of it. Carnegie thinks a man should not wait till his death to bring some good in the world. He states that the country will benefit for having only a few men holding a majority of the countries money because they will spend it on public purposes. It is the duty of the wealthy, he states, "to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him".