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Quotes from A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) — Jean-Baptiste Say

d. 1832 France

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68 quotes

The difficulty lies, not in finding a producer, but in finding a consumer.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

The wants of mankind are supplied and satisfied out of the gross values produced and created, and not out of the net values only.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

The luxury of ostentation affords a much less substantial and solid gratification, than the luxury of comfort, if I may be allowed the expression.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

" capital cannot be more beneficially employed, then in strengthening and aiding the productive powers of nature."

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

With respect to the present time, there are few persons who unite the qualifications of good observers with a situation favourable for accurate observation.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

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.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

Opulent, civilized, and industrious nations, are greater consumers than poor ones, because they are infinitely greater producers.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

Nothing can be more idle than the opposition of theory to practice!

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

No human being has the faculty of originally creating matter, which is more than nature itself can do. But any one may avail himself of the agents offered him by nature, to invest matter with utility.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

When war becomes a trade, it benefits, like all other trades, from the division of labour.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

Capital in the hands of a national government forms a part of the gross national capital.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

The United States will have the honour of proving experimentally, that true policy goes hand in hand with moderation and humanity.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

It is, perhaps, a well founded objection to Mr. Ricardo, that he sometimes reasons upon abstract principles to which he gives too great a generalization.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

How many other opinions, as universally prevailing and as much respected, will in like manner pass away?

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

The theory of interest was wrapped in utter obscurity, until Hume and Smith dispelled the vapor.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

What can we expect from nations still less advanced in civilization than the Greeks?

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

Still how unenlightened and ignorant are the very nations we term civilized!

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

What would people think of a tradesman, that was to give a ball in his shop, hire performers, and hand refreshments about, with a view to benefit his business?

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

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.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

The wealthy are generally impressed with an idea, that they shall never stand in need of public charitable relief; but a little less confidence would become them better.

A Treatise On Political Economy (Fourth Edition) (1832)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Jean-Baptiste Say (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.