Note the distinction between the terms; either you are liberal or you are mean.
This is according to the view of the citizen; either you give to them, or you do not.
Some politicians have gone to great lengths to portray the rich as another type of citizen,
almost an enemy of the people. In doing so, they now have
the masses believing that taking from the rich is a noble cause; especially if they are to receive
services from this legal plunder...
I say that it may be a good thing to be reputed liberal, but, nevertheless, that liberality without the reputation of it is hurtful; because, though it be worthily and rightly used, still if it be not known, you escape not the reproach of its opposite vice. Hence, to have credit for liberality with the world at large, you must neglect no circumstance of sumptuous display; the result being, that a Prince of a liberal disposition will consume his whole substance in things of this sort, and, after all, be obliged, if he would maintain his reputation for liberality, to burden his subjects with extraordinary taxes, and to resort to confiscations and all the other shifts whereby money is raised. But in this way he becomes hateful to his subjects, and growing impoverished is held in little esteem by any. So that in the end, having by his liberality offended many and obliged few, he is worse off than when he began, and is exposed to all his original dangers.
- Machiavelli
I'd say this guy pretty much called it.