Jean-Baptiste Say (1767 – 1832)
French economist and businessman.
The government has, in all countries, a vast influence, in determining the character of the national consumption; not only because it absolutely directs the consumption of the state itself, but because a great proportion of the consumption of individuals is gained by its will and example.
What is the motive which operates in every man's breast to counteract the impulse towards the gratification of his wants and appetites?
And let no government imagine, that, to strip them of the power of defrauding their subjects, is to deprive them of a valuable privilege. A system of of swindling can never be long lived, and must infallibly in the end produce much more loss than profit.
To have never done anything but make the eighteenth part of a pin, is a sorry account for a human being to give of his existence.
Law has been unjustly charged with the whole blame of the calamities resulting from the scheme that bears his name.
A treasure does not always contribute to the political security of its possessors. It rather invites attack, and very seldom is faithfully applied to the purpose for which it was destined.