Everybody works but the vacant lot

There are only three ways by which any individual can get wealth — by work, by gift or by theft. And, clearly, the reason why the workers get so little is that the beggars and thieves get so much.

Compare society to a boat. Her progress through the water will not depend upon the exertion of her crew, but upon the exertion devoted to propelling her. This will be lessened by any expenditure of force in fighting among themselves, or in pulling in different directions.

The march of invention has clothed mankind with powers of which a century ago the boldest imagination could not have dreamt.

Laissez faire (in its full true meaning) opens the way to the realization of the noble dreams of socialism.

We have made, and still are making, enormous advances on material lines. It is necessary that we commensurately advance on moral lines. Civilization, as it progresses, requires a higher conscience, a keener sense of justice, a warmer brotherhood, a wider, loftier, truer public spirit.

The value of a thing is the amount of laboring or work that its possession will save the possessor.