Our supplies of natural resources are not finite in any economic sense. Nor does past experience give reason to expect read more

Our supplies of natural resources are not finite in any economic sense. Nor does past experience give reason to expect natural resources to become more scarce. Rather, if history is any guide, natural resources will progressively become less costly, hence less scarce, and will constitute a smaller proportion of our expenses in future years.

The financial climate is the worst it's been in 25 years.

The financial climate is the worst it's been in 25 years.

The rich adopt novelties and become accustomed to their use. This sets a fashion which others imitate. Once the richer read more

The rich adopt novelties and become accustomed to their use. This sets a fashion which others imitate. Once the richer classes have adopted a certain way of living, producers have an incentive to improve the methods of manufacture so that soon it is possible for the poorer classes to follow suit. Thus luxury furthers progress. Innovation "is the whim of an elite before it becomes a need of the public. The luxury today is the necessity of tomorrow." Luxury is the roadmaker of progress: it develops latent needs and makes people discontented. In so far as they think consistently, moralists who condemn luxury must recommend the comparatively desireless existence of the wild life roaming in the woods as the ultimate ideal of civilized life.

Usually the greatest boasters are the smallest workers. The deep rivers pay a larger tribute to the sea than shallow read more

Usually the greatest boasters are the smallest workers. The deep rivers pay a larger tribute to the sea than shallow brooks, and yet empty themselves with less noise.

The rich are different from you and me because they have more credit.

The rich are different from you and me because they have more credit.

Few women care to be laughed at and men not at all, except for large sums of money.

Few women care to be laughed at and men not at all, except for large sums of money.

Capitalism needs to function like a game of tug-of-war. Two opposing sides need to continually struggle for dominance, but at read more

Capitalism needs to function like a game of tug-of-war. Two opposing sides need to continually struggle for dominance, but at no time can either side be permitted to walk away with the rope.

Economics is first and foremost about the thoughts leading up to choice.

Economics is first and foremost about the thoughts leading up to choice.

The City's reluctance to take a stand on an issue like the British Gas pay row makes a mockery of read more

The City's reluctance to take a stand on an issue like the British Gas pay row makes a mockery of corporate governance and shareholders' ability to influence annual general meetings. Institutions should be obliged to make public how they vote at such events. They should be obliged to provide customers with a record of how they vote on every kind of issue.