For my part, I would much rather have heavy taxes to pay, and a good deal to pay them with, like the English.

What would be thought of the Queen's government, if after having ruined trade, manufactures, and agriculture, and exhausted all the sources of public prosperity, it were to say to the people, "Rejoice, good people, for henceforth your taxes will not exceed 7s.6d.a head all round!" The English people would answer with great reason, that they would much prefer to pay L40 a head, and be able to make L400.
It is not this or that particular sum per head on a population which constitutes moderate or excessive taxation; but the relation which the sum annually taken for the service of the State bears to the revenues of the nation.

It is just to take much from him who has much; monstrous to attempt to take anything--be it never so little--from him who has nothing.

If you examine the question from this common sense point of view, you will agree with me that taxation at the rate of 7s.
6,d.

a head, is pretty heavy for the poor Romans.
But 7s.