The rich adopt novelties and become accustomed to their use. This sets a fashion which others imitate. Once the richer read more

The rich adopt novelties and become accustomed to their use. This sets a fashion which others imitate. Once the richer classes have adopted a certain way of living, producers have an incentive to improve the methods of manufacture so that soon it is possible for the poorer classes to follow suit. Thus luxury furthers progress. Innovation "is the whim of an elite before it becomes a need of the public. The luxury today is the necessity of tomorrow." Luxury is the roadmaker of progress: it develops latent needs and makes people discontented. In so far as they think consistently, moralists who condemn luxury must recommend the comparatively desireless existence of the wild life roaming in the woods as the ultimate ideal of civilized life.

Business is a means- the only means- to increase the quantity of goods available for preserving life and rendering it read more

Business is a means- the only means- to increase the quantity of goods available for preserving life and rendering it more agreeable.

Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.

Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.

When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving read more

When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous.

I made my money by selling too soon.

I made my money by selling too soon.

Economics is a theoretical science and as such abstains from any judgement of value. It is not its task to read more

Economics is a theoretical science and as such abstains from any judgement of value. It is not its task to tell people what ends they should aim at. It is a science of the means to be applied for attainment of ends chosen, not, to be sure, a science of the choosing of ends. Ultimate decisions, the valuations and the choosing of ends, are beyond the scope of any science. Science never tells a man how he should act; it merely shows how a man must act if he wants to attain definite ends.

I figure you have the same chance of winning the lottery whether you play or not.

I figure you have the same chance of winning the lottery whether you play or not.

What pays under capitalism is satisfying the common man, the customer. The more people you satisfy, the better for you.

What pays under capitalism is satisfying the common man, the customer. The more people you satisfy, the better for you.

A consumer is a shopper who is sore about something.

A consumer is a shopper who is sore about something.