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In the rare cases where it occurs, a failure to increase one's visible consumption when the means for an increase are at hand is felt in popular apprehension to call for explanation, and unworthy motives of miserliness are imputed.

— Thorstein Veblen The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899)

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More quotes by Thorstein Veblen

The outcome of any serious research can only be to make two questions grow where only one grew before.

Veblen (1908)

Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.

The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899)

In itself and in its consequences the life of leisure is beautiful and ennobling in all civilised men's eyes.

The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899)

The chief use of servants is the evidence they afford of the master's ability to pay.

The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899)

It is always sound business to take any obtainable net gain, at any cost and at any risk to the rest of the community.

Absentee Ownership (1923)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Thorstein Veblen (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.