Charles Caleb Colton Quote

The code of poor laws has at length grown up into a tree, which, like the fabulous Upas, overshadows and poisons the land; unwholesome expedients were the bud, dilemmas and depravities have been the blossom, and danger and despair are the bitter fruit.

Lacon, Or, Many Things in Few Words: Addressed to Those who Think (ed. 1836)