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> “Behind every great fortune lies a great crime."

This quote reflects a very European attitude towards wealth to me. I believe PG specifically talks about possible origins of this idea.

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An Orleanist interpretation of this aphorism is as credible as Louise-Phillip's claim to the French throne. Vautrin derives this statement from a near endless litany of examples. I would strongly recommend reading Balzac to get to the origins of all this.

You can share all the true examples you want. But 19th century France and 20th century America have completely different economic models. So we can't understand that purely by studying French literature.

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