In view of the importance of philanthropy in our society, it is surprising that so little attention has been given to it by economic or social theorists. In economic theory, especially, the subject is almost completely ignored. This is not, I think, because economists regard mankind as basically selfish or even because economic man is supposed to act only in his self-interest; it is rather because economics has essentially grown up around the phenomenon of exchange and its theoretical structure rests heavily on this process.

The social system tends to be dominated by images... especially of the future, which act cybernetically, constantly guided by perceived divergences between the real and the ideal.

Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist.

Almost every organization... exhibits two faces a smiling face which it turns toward its members and a frowning face which it turns to the world outside.

Economists are like computers. They need to have facts punched into them.

The tourist business is a trap, it is a tained honey; Man clearly should have stayed in bed, and not invented money.

Accounting for the most part, remains a legalistic and traditional practice, almost immune to self-criticism by scientific methods.