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Money
224. Economics; Poverty
"The truth is, that luxury produces much good. Take the luxury
of building in London. Does it not produce real advantage in the
conveniency and elegance of accommodation, and this all from the
exertion of industry? People will tell you, with a melancholy
face, how many builders are in gaol, not for building; for rents
are not fallen. -- A man gives half a guinea for a dish of green
peas. How much gardening does this occasion? how many labourers
must the competition to have such things early in the market,
keep in employment? You will hear it said, very gravely, 'Why
was not the half-guinea, thus spent in luxury, given to the poor?
To how many might it have afforded a good meal?' Alas! has it
not gone to the industrious poor, whom it is better to
support than the idle poor? You are much surer that you
are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as
the recompence of their labour, than when you give money
merely in charity."
Boswell: Life
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274. Charity; Economics
"You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor.
Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by
giving it; for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert
industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle. I own,
indeed, there may be more virtue in giving it immediately in
charity, than in spending it in luxury; though there may be a
pride in that too."
Boswell: Life
Link
646. Corruption; Economics
"Whatever is found to gratify the publick, will be multiplied by
the emulation of venders beyond necessity or use. This plenty,
indeed, produces cheapness, but cheapness always ends in
negligence and depravation."
Johnson: Idler #7 (May 27, 1758)
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803. Economics
"The prosperity of a people is proportionate to the number of
hands and minds usefully employed."
Johnson: Idler #22 (September 16, 1758)
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804. Community; Economics;
Society
"Whatever body, and whatever society, wastes more than it
acquires, must gradually decay; and every being that continues
to be fed, and ceases to labour, takes away something from the
publick stock."
Johnson: Idler #22 (September 16, 1758)
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907. Career Choice; Economics
"It cannot ... be expected of all to be poets and philosophers;
it is necessary that the greater part of mankind should be
employed in the minute business of common life; minute, indeed,
not if we consider its influence upon our happiness, but if we
respect the abilities requisite to conduct it."
Johnson: Rambler #80 (December 22, 1750)
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1,530. Economics
He that contemplates the extent of this wonderful city, finds it
difficult to conceive, by what method plenty is maintained in our
markets, and how the inhabitants are regularly supplied with
the necessaries of life; but when he examines the shops and
warehouses, sees the immense stores of every kind of
merchandize piled up for sale, and runs over all the manufactures
of art and products of nature, which are every where
attracting his eye and soliciting his purse, he will be inclined
to conclude, that such quantities cannot easily be exhausted,
and that part of mankind must soon stand still for want of
employment, till the wares already provided shall be worn out and
destroyed.
Johnson: Adventurer #67 (June 26, 1753)
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1,531. Economics
But so it is, that custom, curiosity, or wantonness, supplies
every art with patrons, and finds purchasers for every
manufacture; the world is so adjusted, that not only bread, but
riches may be obtained without great abilities or arduous
performances: the most unskilful hand and unenlightened mind have
sufficient incitements to industry; for he that is resolutely
busy, can scarcely be in want.
Johnson: Adventurer #67 (June 26, 1753)
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1,532. Economics
In the endless variety of tastes and circumstances that diversify
mankind, nothing is so superfluous, but that some one desires it:
or so common, but that someone is compelled to buy it. As
nothing is useless but because it is in improper hands, what is
thrown away by one is gathered up my another; and the refuse of
part of mankind furnishes a subordinate class with the materials
necessary to their support.
Johnson: Adventurer #67 (June 26, 1753)
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1,538. Economics; Society
It were a speculation worthy of a philosophical mind, to examine
how much is taken away from our native abilities, as well as
added to them, by artificial expedients. We are so accustomed to
give and receive assistance, that each of us singly can do little
for himself; and there is scarce any one among us, however
contracted may be his form of life, who does not enjoy the labour
of a thousand artists.
Johnson: Adventurer #67 (June 26, 1753)
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