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No human being has the faculty of originally creating matter, which is more than nature itself can do. But any one may avail himself of the agents offered him by nature, to invest matter with utility.
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
Nature
Avail
May
Originally
Human
Utility
Humans
Invest
Matter
Offered
Faculty
Agents
Creating
More quotes by Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
The command of a large sum is a dangerous temptation to a national administration. Though accumulated at their expense, the people rarely, if ever profit by it: yet in point of fact, all value, and consequently, all wealth, originates with the people.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
An uniformity of weights and measures, arranged upon mathematical principles, would be a benefit to the whole commercial world, if it were wise enough to adopt such an expedient.
Jean-Baptiste Say
The United States will have the honour of proving experimentally, that true policy goes hand in hand with moderation and humanity.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
Political economy has only become a science since it has been confined to the results of inductive investigation.
Jean-Baptiste Say
With respect to the present time, there are few persons who unite the qualifications of good observers with a situation favourable for accurate observation.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
Taxation being a burthen, must needs weigh lightest on each individual, when it bears upon all alike.
Jean-Baptiste Say
A tax can never be favorable to the public welfare, except by the good use that is made of its proceeds.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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
Some writers maintain arithmetic to be only the only sure guide in political economy for my part, I see so many detestable systems built upon arithmetical statements, that I am rather inclined to regard that science as the instrument of national calamity.
Jean-Baptiste Say
The luxury of ostentation affords a much less substantial and solid gratification, than the luxury of comfort, if I may be allowed the expression.
Jean-Baptiste Say
When war becomes a trade, it benefits, like all other trades, from the division of labour.
Jean-Baptiste Say
What would people think of a tradesman, that was to give a ball in his shop, hire performers, and hand refreshments about, with a view to benefit his business?
Jean-Baptiste Say
