I am myself persuaded, on the basis of extensive study of the historical evidence, that... the severity of each of the contractions - 1920-21, 1929-33, and 1937-38 - is directly attributable to acts of commission and omission by the Reserve authorities and would not have occurred under earlier monetary and banking arrangements.
Milton FriedmanHigher taxes never reduce the deficit. Governments spend whatever they take in and then whatever they can get away with.
Milton FriedmanEconomists may not know how to run the economy, but they know how to create shortages or gluts simply by regulating prices below the market, or artificially supporting them from above.
Milton FriedmanThe existence of a free market does not of course eliminate the need for government. On the contrary, government is essential both as a forum for determining the "rule of the game" and as an umpire to interpret and enforce the rules decided on.
Milton FriedmanIf you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.
Milton FriedmanPeople who intend only to seek their own benefit are โled by an invisible hand to serve a public interest which was no part ofโ their intention. I say that there is a reverse invisible hand: People who intend to serve only the public interest are led by an invisible hand to serve private interests which was no part of their intention.
Milton Friedman