To the believer Marxism presents, first, a system of ultimate ends that embody the meaning of life and are absolute standards by which to judge events and actions.

The capitalist achievement does not typically consist in providing more silk stocking for queens but in bringing them within the reach of factory girls in return for a steadily decreasing amount of effort.

In economic life competition is never completely lacking, but hardly ever is it perfect.

I know that it is not enough to be remembered for books and theories. One does not make a difference unless it is a difference in people's lives.

The capitalist engine is first and last an engine of mass production which unavoidably also means production for the masses. . . . It is the cheap cloth, the cheap cotton and rayon fabric, boots, motorcars and so on that are the typical achievements of capitalist production, and not as a rule improvements that would mean much to the rich man. Queen Elizabeth owned silk stockings. The capitalist achievement does not typically consist in providing more silk stockings for queens but in bringing them within reach of factory girls.

Entrepreneurial profit is the expression of the value of what the entrepreneur contributes to production.

Gentlemen, a depression is for capitalism like a good, cold douche.