A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man without a surplus is controlled by them, and often read more

A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man without a surplus is controlled by them, and often has no opportunity to exercise judgment.

American prosperity and American free enterprise are both highly unusual in the world, and we should not overlook the possibility read more

American prosperity and American free enterprise are both highly unusual in the world, and we should not overlook the possibility that the two are connected.

Every few seconds it changes - up an eighth, down an eighth - it's like playing a slot machine. I read more

Every few seconds it changes - up an eighth, down an eighth - it's like playing a slot machine. I lose $20 million, I gain $20 million.

The herd instinct among forecasters makes sheep look like independent thinkers.

The herd instinct among forecasters makes sheep look like independent thinkers.

The market is a place set apart where men may deceive each other.

The market is a place set apart where men may deceive each other.

Show me the business man or institution not guided by sentiment and service; by the idea that "he profits most read more

Show me the business man or institution not guided by sentiment and service; by the idea that "he profits most who serves best" and I will show you a man or an outfit that is dead or dying.

Not understanding the process of a spontaneously-ordered economy goes hand-in-hand with not understanding the creation of resources and wealth. And read more

Not understanding the process of a spontaneously-ordered economy goes hand-in-hand with not understanding the creation of resources and wealth. And when a person does not understand the creation of resources and wealth, the only intellectual alternative is to believe that increasing wealth must be at the cost of someone else. This belief that our good fortune must be an exploitation of others may be the taproot of false prophecy about doom that our evil ways must bring upon us.

Finance is the art of passing currency from hand to hand until it finally disappears.

Finance is the art of passing currency from hand to hand until it finally disappears.

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement, psychoanalysis becomes the first science to state what common sense read more

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement, psychoanalysis becomes the first science to state what common sense and the poets have long known -- that the essence of money is in its absolute worthlessness.