The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer with us to-day measures the change which has come with civilization. This change, however, is not to be deplored, but welcomed as highly beneficial.… The "good old times" were not good old times. Neither master nor servant was as well situated then as to-day. A relapse to old conditions would be disastrous to both—not the least so to him who serves—and would sweep away civilization with it. But whether the change be for good or ill, it is upon us, beyond our power to alter, and, therefore, to be accepted and made the best of. It is a waste of time to criticize the inevitable.
The Gospel of Wealth, by Andrew Carnegie (1889)
In this passage, one of Andrew Carnegie's arguments is that
A. there has always been a large gap between the rich and the poor.
B. the government should work to redistribute people's wealth.
C. even the poor are better off today than they were in the past.
D. little has changed historically about people's standard of living.
1 answer
C. even the poor are better off today than they were in the past.