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.

I've been promoted to middle management. I never thought I'd sink so low.

I've been promoted to middle management. I never thought I'd sink so low.

Greed is all right, by the way I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good read more

Greed is all right, by the way I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself.

All people, however fanatical they may be in their zeal to disparage and to fight capitalism, implicitly pay homage to read more

All people, however fanatical they may be in their zeal to disparage and to fight capitalism, implicitly pay homage to it by passionately clamoring for the products it turns out.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents.

The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall.

The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall.

What matters is not the allocation of portions out of a fund presented to man by nature. The problem is read more

What matters is not the allocation of portions out of a fund presented to man by nature. The problem is rather to further those social institutions which enable people to continue and to enlarge the production of all those things which they need.

We don't want to push our ideas on to customers, we simply want to make what they want.

We don't want to push our ideas on to customers, we simply want to make what they want.

Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.

Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.