Without the knowledge of the true number of the people, as a principle, the whole scope and use of keeping bills of birth and burials is impaired; wherefore by laborious conjectures and calculations to deduce the number of people from the births and burials, may be ingenious, but very preposterous.
William PettyThat some are poorer than others, ever was and ever will be: And that many are naturally querulous and envious, is an Evil as old as the World.
William PettyA thousand acres that can feed a thousand souls is better than ten thousand acres of no more effect.
William Petty