“capital cannot be more beneficially employed, then in strengthening and aiding the productive powers of nature.”
Quote by Jean-Baptiste Say
“The sea and wind can at the same time convey my neighbour's vessel and my own.”
Source: A treatise on political economy
“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.”
Source: A treatise on political economy
“The difficulty lies, not in finding a producer, but in finding a consumer.”
Source: History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch
“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.”
Source: History of Economic Theory: The Selected Writings of Adam Smith, Jean-Baptiste Say, and J.R. McCulloch
“It is doubtless very desirable, that private persons should have a correct knowledge of their personal interests; but it must be infinitely more so, that governments should possess that knowledge.”
Source: A Treatise on Political Economy; Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth
“When war becomes a trade, it benefits, like all other trades, from the division of labour.”
Source: A Treatise on Political Economy; Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth
“Taxation being a burthen, must needs weigh lightest on each individual, when it bears upon all alike.”
Source: A Treatise on Political Economy: Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth
“The occupation of the stock-jobber yields no new or useful product; consequently having no product of his own to give in exchange, he has no revenue to subsist upon, but what he contrives to make out of the unskilfulness or ill-fortune of gamesters like himself.”
Source: A treatise on political economy, or, the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth
“A treasure does not always contribute to the political security of its possessors. It rather invites attack, and very seldom is faithfully applied to the purpose for which it was destined.”
Source: A Treatise on Political Economy; Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth
“The command of a large sum is a dangerous temptation to a national administration. Though accumulated at their expense, the people rarely, if ever profit by it: yet in point of fact, all value, and consequently, all wealth, originates with the people.”
Source: A Treatise on Political Economy; Or, The Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth