It is your mind that matters economically, as much or more than your mouth or hands. In the long run, read more

It is your mind that matters economically, as much or more than your mouth or hands. In the long run, the most important economic effect of population size and growth is the contribution of additional people to our stock of useful knowledge. And this contribution is large enough in the long run to overcome all the costs of population growth.

Avarice is the vice of declining years.

Avarice is the vice of declining years.

Taxation WITH representation ain't so hot either.

Taxation WITH representation ain't so hot either.

Based on first-hand evidence of your own senses - the improved health and later ages at which acquaintances die nowadays read more

Based on first-hand evidence of your own senses - the improved health and later ages at which acquaintances die nowadays as compared with the past; the material goods that we now possess; the speed at which information, entertainment, and we ourselves move freely throughout the world - it seems to me that a person must be literally deaf and blind not to perceive that humanity is in a much better state than ever before.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
[Lat., Noli equi dentes inspicere donati.]

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
[Lat., Noli equi dentes inspicere donati.]

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.

The entire essence of America is the hope to first make money -- then make money with money -- then read more

The entire essence of America is the hope to first make money -- then make money with money -- then make lots of money with lots of money.

We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this read more

We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this century. During the period we may be tempted to abandon some of the time-honored principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations. We must never yield to this temptation. Our American values are not luxuries, but necessities - not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself.
in his farewell address.

Goodwill is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.

Goodwill is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.