Commerce is the cure for the most destructive prejudices.

Commerce is the cure for the most destructive prejudices.

All mass movements avail themselves of action as a means of unification. The conflicts a mass movement seeks and incites read more

All mass movements avail themselves of action as a means of unification. The conflicts a mass movement seeks and incites serve not only to down its enemies but also to strip its followers of their distinct individuality and render them more soluble in the collective medium.

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.

We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this read more

We live in a time of transition, an uneasy era which is likely to endure for the rest of this century. During the period we may be tempted to abandon some of the time-honored principles and commitments which have been proven during the difficult times of past generations. We must never yield to this temptation. Our American values are not luxuries, but necessities - not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself.
in his farewell address.

Perhaps the most widespread misunderstanding of economics is that it applies solely to financial transactions. Frequently this leads to statements read more

Perhaps the most widespread misunderstanding of economics is that it applies solely to financial transactions. Frequently this leads to statements that "there are noneconomic values" to consider. There are, of course, noneconomic values. Indeed, there are only noneconomic values. Economics is not a value itself but merely a method of trading off one value against another.

Money isn't everything… but it ranks right up there with oxygen.

Money isn't everything… but it ranks right up there with oxygen.

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, read more

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.

I'm not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.

I'm not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.

Tax reform means, 'Don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree.'.

Tax reform means, 'Don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree.'.