A feather will weigh down a scale when there is nothing in the opposite one.

The constant effort towards population, which is found even in the most vicious societies, increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased.

The natural inequality of the two powers of population and of production in the earth, and that great law of our nature which must constantly keep their efforts equal, form the great difficulty that to me appears insurmountable in the way to the perfectibility of society.

The employment of the poor in roads and public works, and a tendency among landlords and persons of property to build, to improve and beautify their grounds, and to employ workmen and menial servants, are the means most within our power and most directly calculated to remedy the evils arising from that disturbance in the balance of produce and consumption.

The most baleful mischiefs may be expected from the unmanly conduct of not daring to face truth because it is unpleasing.

The histories of mankind are histories only of the higher classes.

To prevent the recurrence of misery is, alas! beyond the power of man.