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In times of political confusion, and under an arbitrary government, many will prefer to keep their capital inactive, concealed, and unproductive, either of profit or gratification, rather than run the risk of its display. This latter evil is never felt under a good government.

Jean-Baptiste Say

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Jean-Baptiste Say
Age: 65 †
Born: 1767
Born: January 5
Died: 1832
Died: November 14
Economist
Industrialist
Journalist
Translator
Lyons
Jean Baptiste Say
Running
Prefer
Unproductive
Keep
Profit
Concealed
Political
Risk
Gratification
Government
Either
Arbitrary
Many
Rather
Display
Good
Times
Capital
Never
Evil
Latter
Felt
Confusion
Inactive

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The government has, in all countries, a vast influence, in determining the character of the national consumption not only because it absolutely directs the consumption of the state itself, but because a great proportion of the consumption of individuals is gained by its will and example.
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Law has been unjustly charged with the whole blame of the calamities resulting from the scheme that bears his name.
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A much larger value is consumed in lettuces than in pineapples,throughout Europe at large and the superb shawls of Cachemere are, in France, a very poor object in trade, in comparison with the plain cotton goods of Rouen.
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Political economy has only become a science since it has been confined to the results of inductive investigation.
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Dominion by land or sea will appear equally destitute of attraction, when it comes to be generally understood, that all its advantages rest with the rulers, and that the subjects at large derive no benefit whatever.
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Whence it is evident that the remedy must be adapted to the particular cause of the mischief consequently, the cause must be ascertained, before the remedy is devised.
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A shop-keeper in good business is quite as well off as a pedlar that travels the country with his wares on his back. Commercial jealousy is, after all, nothing but prejudice: it is a wild fruit, that will drop of itself when it has arrived at maturity.
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A treasure does not always contribute to the political security of its possessors. It rather invites attack, and very seldom is faithfully applied to the purpose for which it was destined.
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The United States will have the honour of proving experimentally, that true policy goes hand in hand with moderation and humanity.
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All travellers agree that protestant are both richer and more populous than catholic countriesand the reason is, because the habits of the former are more conducive to production.
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The ancients, by their system of colonization, made themselves friends all over the known world the moderns have sought to make subjects, and therefore have made enemies.
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Demand and supply are the opposite extremes of the beam, whence depend the scales of dearness and cheapness the price is the point of equilibrium, where the momentum of the one ceases, and that of the other begins.
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Wherefore it is impossible to succeed in comparing wealth of different eras or different nations. This, in political economy, like squaring the circle in mathematics, is impracticable, for want of a common mean or measure to go by.
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A science only advances with certainty, when the plan of inquiry and the object of our researches have been clearly defined otherwise a small number of truths are loosely laid hold of, without their connexion being perceived, and numerous errors, without being enabled to detect their fallacy.
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Supply creates its own demand.
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The luxury of ostentation affords a much less substantial and solid gratification, than the luxury of comfort, if I may be allowed the expression.
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The wealthy are generally impressed with an idea, that they shall never stand in need of public charitable relief but a little less confidence would become them better.
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If the community wish to have the benefit of more knowledge and intelligence in the labouring classes, it must dispense it at the public charge.
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A nation or an individual, will do wisely to direct consumption chiefly to those articles, that are longest time in wearing out, and the most frequently in use.
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The occupation of the stock-jobber yields no new or useful product consequently having no product of his own to give in exchange, he has no revenue to subsist upon, but what he contrives to make out of the unskilfulness or ill-fortune of gamesters like himself.
Jean-Baptiste Say