The characteristic feature of modern capitalism is mass production of goods destined for consumption by the masses. The result is a tendency towards a continuous improvement in the average standard of living, a progressing enrichment of the many. Ludwig von Mises More Quotes by Ludwig von Mises More Quotes From Ludwig von Mises In the bureaucratic machine of socialism the way toward promotion is not achievement but the favor of the superiors. Ludwig von Mises machinesachievementfavors The policy of letting the free market determine the height of wage rates is the only reasonable and successful full-employment policy. Ludwig von Mises heightemploymentsuccessful Liberty is always freedom from the government. Ludwig von Mises libertygovernment Socialism and interventionism. Both have in common the goal of subordinating the individual unconditionally to the state. Ludwig von Mises socialismgoalcommon Two hundred years ago, before the advent of capitalism, a man's social status was fixed from the beginning to the end of his life; he inherited it from his ancestors and it never changed. Ludwig von Mises mentwoyears Once the principle is admitted that it is the duty of the government to protect the individual against his own foolishness, no serious objections can be advanced against further encroachments. Ludwig von Mises freedomgovernmentprinciples One day, because they realize for some reason or other that they must stop credit expansion, the banks do stop creating new credit to lend. Then the firms that have expanded cannot get credit to pay for the factors of production necessary for the completion of the investment projects which they have already committed themselves. Because they cannot pay their bills, they sell off their inventories cheap. Then comes the panic, the breakdown. And the depression starts. Ludwig von Mises expansioncreatingone-day Society is joint action and cooperation in which each participant sees the other partner's success as a means for the attainment of his own. Ludwig von Mises jointsinspirationalmean Everything brought forward in favor of Socialism during the last hundred years, in thousands of writings and speeches, all the blood which has been spilt by the supporters of Socialism, cannot make socialism workable. Ludwig von Mises writingbloodyears There is an inherent tendency in all governmental power to recognize no restraints on its operation and to extend the sphere of its dominion as much as possible. To control everything, to leave no room for anything to happen of its own accord without the interference of the authorities--th is is the goal for which every ruler secretly strives. Ludwig von Mises dominiongoalrooms The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster. Ludwig von Mises libertywarpeace It has always been the task of the new generation to provoke changes. Ludwig von Mises provokinggenerationstasks Human civilization is not something achieved against nature; it is rather the outcome of the working of the innate qualities of man. Ludwig von Mises qualitymencivilization Spontaneous actions of individuals, aiming at nothing else than at the improvement of their own state of satisfaction, undermined the prestige of the coercive status system step by step. Ludwig von Mises improvementsatisfactionsteps Man is not, like the animals, an obsequious puppet of instincts and sensual impulses. Man has the power to suppress instinctive desires, he has a will of his own, he chooses between incompatible ends. Ludwig von Mises sensualanimalmen The egalitarian doctrine is manifestly contrary to all the facts established by biology and by history. Only fanatical partisans of this theory can contend that what distinguishes the genius from the dullard is entirely the effect of postnatal influences. Ludwig von Mises doctrinegeniusfacts Civilization is a work of peaceful co-operation. Ludwig von Mises operationspeacefulcivilization Governments, political parties, pressure groups, and the bureaucrats of the educational hierarchy think they can avoid the inevitable consequences of unsuitable measures by boycotting and silencing the independent economists. But truth persists and works, even if nobody is left to utter it. Ludwig von Mises independenteducationalparty The situation of having to belong to a state to which one does not wish is no less onerous if it is the result of an election than if one must endure it as the consequence of a military conquest. Ludwig von Mises militarywishdoe The worst law is better than bureaucratic tyranny. Ludwig von Mises worsttyrannylaw
