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Herbert Stein Quotes

Professor

Herbert Stein was a distinguished economist known for his contributions to macroeconomics and fiscal policy. He played a significant role in U.S. economic policy-making and was highly respected in the academic community.

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All Forever Goes On Ifs American Politics Economist Agency Balance Balanced Believe Benefits

Famous Herbert Stein Quotes

“If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.”

Reality Forever Meaning End Sense

Book:What I Think: Essays on Economics, Politics, and Life

Source: What I Think: Essays on Economics, Politics, and Life

“Whatever may be the distribution of uncertainty among economists, the public only gets to hear from those who have certain opinions.”

May Certain Opinion Uncertainty Economist Distribution

Author:Herbert Stein

“Things that can't go on forever... don't.”

Forever Goes On

Author:Herbert Stein

“[The Democrats] will say that the Reagan administrtion has given benefits to the rich at the expense of the poor - a term that they define broadly to include middle-income people, women, minorities, the aged, the young, farmers, steelworkers, and others.”

People Young Given Term Poor Rich Middle Benefits Democrat Income Minorities Expenses Farmers American Politics

Author:Herbert Stein

“For almost 50 years polls have shown that a large majority of the public believe that the budget should be balanced, and for all that time they have elected office seekers who would not balance it. The public cares about deficits, but doesn't care much.”

Should Years Believe Care Balance Office Majority Budgets Balanced Deficit Polls American Politics Seekers

Author:Herbert Stein

“Psychiatrist to patient: Maybe you don't have a complex. Maybe you are inferior.”

Modern Complexes Patient Inferiors Modern Life Psychiatrist

Author:Herbert Stein

“If something is inevitable, it will happen”

Ifs Happens Inevitable

Author:Herbert Stein

“If you asked a sample of Americans "What is the temperature of Mars?" about 8% would say they don't know.”

Ifs Knows Mars Temperature Sample

Author:Herbert Stein

“If a thing can't go on forever, it will eventually stop.”

Ifs Forever Goes On

Author:Herbert Stein

“If something cannot go on for ever, it will stop”

Ifs Goes On Economics Investing

Book:What I Think: Essays on Economics, Politics, and Life

Source: What I Think: Essays on Economics, Politics, and Life

“Consumer: A person who is capable of choosing a president but incapable of choosing a bicycle without help from a government agency.”

Persons Helping Government President Decision Capable Consumers Agency Incapable Bicycle Government Agencies

Author:Herbert Stein

“Trends that can't continue, won't.”

Trends

Author:Herbert Stein

“Economists are very good at saying that something cannot go on forever, but not so good at saying when it will stop.”

Forever Goes On Very Good Economist

Author:Herbert Stein

About the Author

Born: August 27, 1916
Died: September 8, 1999
Known for: Professor
Quotes: 13

Books & Sources

What I Think: Essays on Economics, Politics, and LifeRelated source material

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