Home / Authors / Jean-Baptiste Say

Jean-Baptiste Say Quotes

Economist

Jean-Baptiste Say, an economist, was born on January 5, 1767, and died on November 15, 1832. He was one of the representative figures of the classical school of economics and is known for his profound understanding of the market economy and his advocacy for free economy.

Filter quotes by topic

All Government Political Economy Individual Nations Want Benefits Consumption Ifs Industry Produce Products Country Firsts Giving Hands Has Beens Labour Made Political Economy

Famous Jean-Baptiste Say Quotes

“But, is it possible for princes and ministers to be enlightened, when private individuals are not so?”

Individual Ministers Enlightened

Book:A treatise on political economy: or, The production, distribution and consumption of wealth

Source: A treatise on political economy: or, The production, distribution and consumption of wealth

“Every individual, from the common mechanic, that works in wood or clay, to the prime minister that regulates with the dash of his pen the agriculture, the breeding of cattle, the mining, or the commerce of a nation, will perform his business the better, the better he understands the nature of things,and the more his understanding is enlightened.”

Individual Nations Understanding Common Woods Ministers Enlightened Pens Prime Commerce Agriculture Prime Minister Mechanic Clay Breeding Cattle Mining E Commerce

Book:History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch

Source: History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch

“A nation or an individual, will do wisely to direct consumption chiefly to those articles, that are longest time in wearing out, and the most frequently in use.”

Use Individual Nations Direct Articles Consumption

Book:A treatise on political economy

Source: A treatise on political economy

“The government has, in all countries, a vast influence, in determining the character of the national consumption; not only because it absolutely directs the consumption of the state itself, but because a great proportion of the consumption of individuals is gained by its will and example.”

Country States Character Government Individual Influence Example Proportion Consumption

Book:History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch

Source: History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch

“Taxation being a burthen, must needs weigh lightest on each individual, when it bears upon all alike.”

Needs Individual Bears Taxation

Book:A Treatise on Political Economy: Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth

Source: A Treatise on Political Economy: Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth

“If one individual, or one class, can call in the aid of authority to ward off the effects of competition, it acquires a privilege and at the cost of the whole community; it can make sure of profits not altogether due to the productive services rendered, but composed in part of an actual tax upon consumers for its private profit' which tax it commonly shares with the authority that thus unjustly lent its support.”

Source: A treatise on political economy: or, The production, distribution and consumption of wealth