Who said “To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to…”?

Verified

William Cobbett. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source“To Parson Malthus,” Political Register (8 May 1819)

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“To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to work, cannot support their families, and ought, with a great part of the women, to be compelled to lead a life of celibacy, for fear of having children to be starved; to suppose such a thing possible is monstrous.”
— William Cobbett
Verified“To Parson Malthus,” Political Register (8 May 1819) · evidencePoverty and The Poor

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: “To Parson Malthus,” Political Register (8 May 1819).

APA

Cobbett, W. (n.d.). To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to work, cannot support their families, and ought, with a great part of the women, to be compelled to lead a life of celibacy, for fear of having children to be starved; to suppose such a thing possible is monstrous. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33622-to-suppose-such-a-thing-possible-as-a/

MLA

Cobbett, William. “To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to work, cannot support their families, and ought, with a great part of the women, to be compelled to lead a life of celibacy, for fear of having children to be starved; to suppose such a thing possible is monstrous.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33622-to-suppose-such-a-thing-possible-as-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cobbett, William. “To suppose such a thing possible as a society, in which men, who are able and willing to work, cannot support their families, and ought, with a great part of the women, to be compelled to lead a life of celibacy, for fear of having children to be starved; to suppose such a thing possible is monstrous.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33622-to-suppose-such-a-thing-possible-as-a/.

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