But Beveridge also warned of a risk, even though he regarded it as a minor one. He did not believe that the welfare state ought to provide feather-beds for the able-bodied. Those who needed help should receive it. Those who did not need help should look after themselves. To Beveridge, it would have seemed self-evident that the ready availability of dole payments to those who ought to be in work would only spread demoralisation and encourage the dragon of idleness. He did not think that governments would be so foolish as to permit this. Alas, he was wrong. For two generations after his report, the dragon flourished.