From each according to his ability, to each according to his need facts for kids

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs is a famous slogan. It means that people should work as much as they can, and in return, they should get everything they need.

This idea became very well-known because of Karl Marx. He wrote about it in his book Critique of the Gotha program in 1875. Marx believed that in a communist society, there would be so many goods and services that everyone's needs could easily be met.

Who Said It First?

Even though many people think Karl Marx first said this phrase, he actually didn't. This idea was already popular among people who believed in socialism.

A French writer named Louis Blanc used a similar phrase in 1839. He wrote it in his book "The organization of work."

The idea also goes back even further! Another French thinker, Morelly, wrote about a similar concept in 1755. In his book Code of Nature, he suggested some "Sacred and Fundamental Laws" for a better society. These laws included ideas like:

• No one in society would own things as personal property, except for what they needed right away.
• Every citizen would be supported and cared for by the community.
• Everyone would contribute to the community based on their skills, talents, and age.

Morelly's ideas were about sharing everything and making sure everyone had what they needed, which is similar to the famous slogan.

What Does It Mean?

The slogan "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" describes an ideal society. In this society:

• From each according to his ability: This part means that everyone should work and contribute to society as much as they are able to. If you are good at building, you build. If you are good at teaching, you teach.
• To each according to his needs: This part means that once everyone has contributed, society will make sure everyone gets what they need to live comfortably. This includes food, shelter, healthcare, and education. The idea is that no one would go without basic necessities.

This slogan is a core idea in Marxism and communism. It imagines a world where resources are shared fairly, and people work together for the good of everyone.

See also

In Spanish: De cada cual según sus capacidades, a cada cual según sus necesidades para niños