But taxes, as Justice Holmes observed, are what we pay for civilized society. And this barely civil society can surely support staggering private affluence while still providing universal basics. You might also say that too much charity spoils the recipient. But those of us who had a slightly easier time as young parents, thanks to Adele, did not work any less diligently as a result. The entire family, however, learned something about the value of a generous spirit.
Generosity can be private or social.
Appreciating the sheer randomness of good and bad fortune can make you into a Scrooge or a socialist. There will never be enough people like Adele, relative to the immense reservoir of human need. That being the case, compassionate social provision must supplement the occasional eccentric aunt. Adele would want me to wish you a happy Easter and Passover, in this season of moral renewal. Readers may redistribute this article to other individuals for noncommercial use, provided that the text and this notice remain intact.