Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, read more

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded- here and there, now and then- are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.This is known as "bad luck.".

The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time.

The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time.

It's the economy, stupid.

It's the economy, stupid.

Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered.

Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, read more

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.

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.

There are two things needed in these days; first, for rich men to find out how poor men live; and read more

There are two things needed in these days; first, for rich men to find out how poor men live; and second, for poor men to know how rich men work.

High premiums are being paid today not particularly for quality service or long-term building of a business but rather for read more

High premiums are being paid today not particularly for quality service or long-term building of a business but rather for making money quickly, getting rich, and getting out. And that's wrong.

A fool and his money are soon parted. - Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry.

A fool and his money are soon parted. - Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry.