… is from the First Series, Chapter 5 (“Our Products are Burdened With Taxes“) of the FEE edition (Arthur Goddard, trans.) of Frédéric Bastiat’s great work Economic Sophisms (original emphasis):
Do what you will, gentlemen; you cannot give money to some without taking it away from others. If you absolutely insist on draining the taxpayer dry, well and good; but at least do not treat him like a fool. Do not tell him: “I am taking this money from you to repay you for what I have already taken from you.”
DBx: Joyeux anniversaire Bastiat!