Humanity’s wisdom is often distilled in easy-to-remember, concise sayings. Maxims. Aphorisms. Problem is, these eloquent exhortations often contradict each other.

For example: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Just take what you’re given and don’t question its value.

But: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” This one says you should worry about the gift, especially if the source is enemies at the gate wishing you harm. Of course, in the myth, the Trojans soon regret accepting that giant gift horse. Because once it is well inside the city, a lot of Greeks pop out wielding spears and swords.

I believe you do have to look at the consequences of accepting gifts, especially gifts from the government. Especially ongoing funding of an enterprise. What strings are attached? Will costs outweigh benefits?

So I applaud the advice of Jack Baribeau, president of Citizen Impact Canada. He says religious groups should think twice about accepting direct government funding of faith-based schools.

Baribeau said his study of education funding in America shows that governments tend to impose controls over activities they finance. He worries that new Canadian efforts to bring religious schools under the umbrella of the public school system could end up shoving private schools into a “one size fits all” model.

Indeed something to worry about, for Canadians and her neighbors too. The word the government uses to justify controls over the activities it funds is “accountability.” What it means is encroachment.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.