A society that chooses between capitalism and socialism does not choose between two social systems; it chooses between social cooperation and the disintegration of society. Socialism is not an alternative to capitalism; it is an alternative to any system under which men can live as human beings.
Ludwig von MisesThe worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments.
Ludwig von MisesThe riches of successful entrepreneurs is not the cause of anybody's poverty; it is the consequence of the fact that the consumers are better supplied than they would have been in the absence of the entrepreneur's efforts.
Ludwig von MisesGovernment and state can never be perfect because they owe their raison d'รชtre to the imperfection of man and can attain their end, the elimination of man's innate impulse to violence, only by recourse to violence, the very thing they are called upon to prevent.
Ludwig von MisesThe only source of the generation of additional capital goods is saving. If all the goods produced are consumed, no new capital comes into being.
Ludwig von MisesThe criterion of truth is that it works even if nobody is prepared to acknowledge it.
Ludwig von MisesUsed to the conditions of a capitalistic environment, the average American takes it for granted that every year business makes something new and better accessible to him. Looking backward upon the years of his own life, he realizes that many implements that were totally unknown in the days of his youth and many others which at that time could be enjoyed only by a small minority are now standard equipment of almost every household.
Ludwig von Mises