Things that come from the private sector are in abundant supply; things that depend on the public sector are widely a problem. We're a world, as I said in The Affluent Society, of filthy streets and clean houses, poor schools and expensive television.

There is little that can be said about most economic goods. A toothbrush does little but clean teeth. Aspirin does little but dull pain. Alcohol is important mostly for making people more or less drunk ... There being so little to be said, much is to be invented.

If you're rich you can buy books. If you're poor, you need a library.

I am for a close global association in trade and financial matters, rather than the opposite possibility of excessive nationalism, as manifested in the two world wars.

In the market economy the price that is offered is counted upon to produce the result that is sought.

I think the role of the Federal Reserve is enormously exaggerated.

The modern corporation must manufacture not only goods but the desire for the goods it manufactures.