If patriotism is, as Dr. Johnson used to remark, the last refuge of the scoundrel, wrapping outdated industry in the read more

If patriotism is, as Dr. Johnson used to remark, the last refuge of the scoundrel, wrapping outdated industry in the mantle of national interest is the last refuge of the economically dispossessed. In economic terms, pleading national interest is the declining cottage industry of those who have been bypassed by the global economy.

It is your people who make the ultimate difference. You put the investment into training the people and then, when read more

It is your people who make the ultimate difference. You put the investment into training the people and then, when you get invited to the party with the big boys, that is a unique selling point.

It is almost as difficult to keep a first class person in a fourth class job, as it is to read more

It is almost as difficult to keep a first class person in a fourth class job, as it is to keep a fourth class person in a first class job.

When you want something, you have to be willing to pay your dues.

When you want something, you have to be willing to pay your dues.

Stressing output is the key to improving productivity, while looking to increase activity can result in just the opposite.

Stressing output is the key to improving productivity, while looking to increase activity can result in just the opposite.

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.

If you don't care, your customer never will.

If you don't care, your customer never will.

If all the economists were laid end to end, they'd never reach a conclusion.

If all the economists were laid end to end, they'd never reach a conclusion.

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.