#Frederic bastiat quotes series#

that the State owes subsistence, well-being, and education to all its citizens that it should be generous, charitable, involved in everything, devoted to everybody.There is however, a point on this road that must not be passed it is the point where governmental foresight would step in to replace individual foresight and thus destroy it. This is done now we desire that it be done better. If socialists mean that under extraordinary circumstances, for urgent cases, the State should set aside some resources to assist certain unfortunate people, to help them adjust to changing conditions, we will, of course, agree.The law can indeed force men to remain just in vain would it try to force them to be self-sacrificing. Either fraternity is spontaneous, or it does not exist.Justice and Fraternity (1848) 'Justice and fraternity', in Journal des Économistes (15 June 1848) That which is seen and that which is not seen ( Ce qu'on voit et ce qu'on ne voit pas, 1850), the Introduction.Hence it follows that the bad economist pursues a small present good, which will be followed by a great evil to come, while the true economist pursues a great good to come, at the risk of a small present evil. Now this difference is enormous, for it almost always happens that when the immediate consequence is favourable, the ultimate consequences are fatal, and the converse. Between a good and a bad economist this constitutes the whole difference: the one takes account only of the visible effect the other takes account of both the effects which are seen and those which it is necessary to foresee. The others unfold in succession - they are not seen: it is well for us, if they are foreseen. Of these effects, the first only is immediate it manifests itself simultaneously with its cause - it is seen.

#Frederic bastiat quotes series#

In the department of economy, an act, a habit, an institution, a law, gives birth not only to an effect, but to a series of effects.

Competition is merely the absence of oppression.

The profit of the one is the profit of the other.

By virtue of exchange, one man's prosperity is beneficial to all others.

The State in Journal des débats (1848) par.

The State is the great fiction through which everyone endeavours to live at the expense of everyone else.L'État c'est la grande fiction à travers laquelle tout le monde s'efforce de vivre aux dépens de tout le monde.1.4 The Bastiat-Proudhon Debate on Interest (1849–1850).