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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.

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
Government
National
Directs
Country
Absolutely
Determining
Great
Influence
Gained
Example
Consumption
State
Proportion
Individual
Vast
Character
Individuals
States
Countries

More quotes by Jean-Baptiste Say

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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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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.
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The manner in which things exist and take place, constitutes what is called the nature of things and a careful observation of the nature of things is the sole foundation of all truth.
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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.
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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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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
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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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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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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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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To the labor of man alone Smith ascribes the power of producing values. This is an error. A more exact analysis demonstrates... that all the values are derived from the operation of labor, or rather from the industry of man, combined with the operation of those agents which nature and capital furnish him.
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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
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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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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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
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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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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The love of domination never attains more than a factitious elevation, that is sure to make enemies of all its neighbours.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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It is a melancholy but an undoubted fact, that, even in the most thriving countries, part of the population annually dies of mere want. Not that all who perish from want absolutely die of hunger though this calamity is of more frequent occurrence than is generally supposed.
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Political economy has only become a science since it has been confined to the results of inductive investigation.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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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.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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When war becomes a trade, it benefits, like all other trades, from the division of labour.
Jean-Baptiste Say
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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.
Jean-Baptiste Say