I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expense, and my expense is equal to my wishes.

I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expense, and my expense is equal to my wishes.

Don't gamble; take all your savings and buy some good stock and hold it till it goes up, then sell read more

Don't gamble; take all your savings and buy some good stock and hold it till it goes up, then sell it. If it don't go up, don't buy it.

The desire of businessmen for profits is what drives prices down unless forcibly prevented from engaging in price competition, usually read more

The desire of businessmen for profits is what drives prices down unless forcibly prevented from engaging in price competition, usually by governmental activity.

In a trader-dominated society, the scribe is usually kept out of the management of affairs, but it given a more read more

In a trader-dominated society, the scribe is usually kept out of the management of affairs, but it given a more or less free hand in the cultural field. By frustrating the scribe's craving for commanding action, the trader draws upon himself the scribe's wrath and scorn.

Economics is not about things and tangible material objects; it is about men, their meanings and actions.

Economics is not about things and tangible material objects; it is about men, their meanings and actions.

Each man is the smith of his own fortune.

Each man is the smith of his own fortune.

Capitalists are motivated not chiefly by the desire to consume wealth or indulge their appetites, but by the freedom and read more

Capitalists are motivated not chiefly by the desire to consume wealth or indulge their appetites, but by the freedom and power to consummate their entrepreneurial ideas.

The principles applied in economic processes are general social principles.

The principles applied in economic processes are general social principles.

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.