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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
Agents
Creating
Nature
Avail
May
Originally
Human
Utility
Humans
Invest
Matter
Offered
Faculty
More quotes by 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
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
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
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 day will come, sooner or later, when people will wonder at the necessity of taking all this trouble to expose the folly of a system, so childish and absurd, and yet so often enforced at the point of a bayonet.
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
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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.
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
The love of domination never attains more than a factitious elevation, that is sure to make enemies of all its neighbours.
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
The sea and wind can at the same time convey my neighbour's vessel and my own.
Jean-Baptiste Say
Law has been unjustly charged with the whole blame of the calamities resulting from the scheme that bears his name.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
regulation is useful and proper, when aimed at the prevention of fraud or contrivance, manifestly injurious to other kinds of production, or to the public safety, and not at prescribing the nature of the products and the methods of fabrication.
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
