We face the dilemma … that if everyone gets his desserts, some may be driven from the table: and if everyone comes to the table, some may not get their desserts. In practice, this seems to be resolved by the establishment of a social minimum as reflected for instance, in the poor law, in social security and various welfare services. The principle of dessert come into play above this social minimum. That is to say, society lays a modest table at which all can sup and a high table at which the deserving can feast.

Kenneth Ewart Boulding (1910-1993) American economist, educator, poet, philosopher

“Social Justice in Social Dynamics” (1962)