Philosophy Quotes

"The difficulty of modern philosophy lies in saying things that are neither commonplaces nor paradoxes."

"Economic activity is driven by animal instincts rather than rational calculation."

"The love of money as a possession is different from the love of money as a means of enjoyment and achievement."

"The theory of consumer demand is that consumption is influenced by price and income, but actually animal spirits matter more."

"The greatest paradox is that poverty exists amid plenty."

"We are all Keynesians now, though none of us fully understand what that means."

"Civilization is dependent upon sound economic foundations, though it is much more than that."

"The great delusion of modern times is that material progress automatically brings moral progress."

"Human action is purposeful behavior directed toward the attainment of desired ends."

"There is no such thing as collective thinking; there are only individual minds thinking."

"There are no such things as social problems; there are only problems of individuals."

"Economic law is not subject to the will of the majority or the decisions of politicians."

"The division of labor cannot exist without the institution of private property."

"The price of anything is determined by supply and demand, not by the wishes of politicians or ideologues."

"The free market is the only system that allows for the peaceful coordination of human action."

"A rational man acts on the basis of his own self-interest, and this is not morally reprehensible."

"The market economy is the only system capable of coordinating the actions of millions of people without a central authority."

"Economic calculation requires prices, and prices are only generated in a free market."

"The businessman serves humanity not out of altruism but out of the desire for profit, which is his virtue."

"There is no such thing as price control that does not create shortage or surplus."

"The greatest discovery in economics is that individuals pursuing their own self-interest benefit society."

"Philosophy is the pursuit of fundamental truths."

"Philosophy teaches us how to live."

"Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas can take generations to overcome."

"The fatal conceit is the idea that man is able to shape the world around him according to his wishes."

"Reason by itself is insufficient for understanding human society."

"The belief that we can design society is the beginning of tyranny."

"Human beings have evolved within a network of rules and customs that we do not fully understand."

"Cultural evolution has created institutions superior to anything reason alone could devise."

"Economic systems based on coercion ultimately fail because they violate human nature."