A Christmas Carol

Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge: [about Tiny Tim] Is there no chance that boy will be spared?

The Ghost of Christmas Present: Not if the future remains unaltered. But so what if he dies? If he's going to do it, he'd better do it quick and decrease the surplus population. If you be a man in your heart, forbear that wicked cant until you've discovered what the surplus really is and where it is. Will you decided what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions, like this poor man's child. Oh God, to hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing there is too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!