At the beginning of this marvelous era it was natural to expect, and it was expected, that laborsaving inventions would lighten the toil and improve the condition of the laborer; that the enormous increase in the power of producing wealth would make real poverty a thing of the past... From Progress and Poverty, To those who, seeing the vice and misery that spring from the unequal distribution of wealth and privilege, feel the possibility of a higher social state and would strive for its attainment.

How vainly shall we endeavor to repress crime by our barbarous punishment of the poorer class of criminals so long as children are reared in the brutalizing influences of poverty, so long as the bite of want drives men to crime.

That alone is wise which is just; that alone is enduring which is right.

What protectionism teaches us, is to do to ourselves in time of peace what enemies seek to do to us in time of war.

It is not from top to bottom that societies die; it is from bottom to top.

God showers upon us his gifts-more than enough for all; But like swine scrambling for food, we tread them in the mire, and rend each other.

Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied.