It were good to know how much hay an acre of every sort will bear; how many cattle the same weight of each sort of hay will feed and fatten; what quantity of grain and other commodities the same acre will bear in one, three or seven years; unto what use each soil is proper; all which particulars I call intrinsic value, for there is also another value merely accidental or extrinsic.
William PettyAn house is of a double nature, viz., one, wherein it is a way and means of expence, the other as it is an instrument and tool of gain.
William PettyI hope no man takes what I said about the living and dieing of men for mathematical demonstration.
William PettyWithout 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 Petty