Scratch a pessimist and find often a defender of privilege.
~ William Beveridge (1879-1963)
I was intrigued by this quote enough to find out more about him. William Henry Beveridge, 1st Baron Beveridge, KCB, was a British economist who was a noted progressive and social reformer. He is best known for his 1942 report, "Social Insurance and Allied Services," which was a blueprint for the modern welfare state put in place in Britain after World War II, most notably universal healthcare. He recommended that the government should find ways of fighting the five "Giant Evils" of Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness.
He also said people "should not be taught to regard the state as the dispenser of gifts for which no one needs pay."
He launched ideas & practices & experiments still in place today in many countries (obviously). Governments are still trying to get it right.
This quote means, I think, that by saying it's too hard or nothing can be done, you are in effect plumping for the status quo, & that means privilege for the privileged.