Economics is a theoretical science and as such abstains from any judgement of value. It is not its task to read more

Economics is a theoretical science and as such abstains from any judgement of value. It is not its task to tell people what ends they should aim at. It is a science of the means to be applied for attainment of ends chosen, not, to be sure, a science of the choosing of ends. Ultimate decisions, the valuations and the choosing of ends, are beyond the scope of any science. Science never tells a man how he should act; it merely shows how a man must act if he wants to attain definite ends.

The dynamics of capitalism is postponement of enjoyment to the constantly postponed future.

The dynamics of capitalism is postponement of enjoyment to the constantly postponed future.

To kill a relative of whom you are tired is something. But to inherit his property afterwards, that is genuine read more

To kill a relative of whom you are tired is something. But to inherit his property afterwards, that is genuine pleasure.

Avarice is the vice of declining years.

Avarice is the vice of declining years.

Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.

Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.

It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.

It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them.

The growing complexity of science, technology, and organization does not imply either a growing knowledge or a growing need for read more

The growing complexity of science, technology, and organization does not imply either a growing knowledge or a growing need for knowledge in the general population. On the contrary, the increasingly complex processes tend to lead to increasingly simple and easily understood products. The genius of mass production is precisely in its making more products more accessible, both economically and intellectually to more people.

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, read more

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, now and then- are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.This is known as "bad luck.".

Because bankers measure their self-worth in money, and pay themselves a lot of it, they think they're fine fellows and read more

Because bankers measure their self-worth in money, and pay themselves a lot of it, they think they're fine fellows and don't need to explain themselves.