Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.
—Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) Russian Revolutionary Leader
If I had to give a definition of capitalism I would say: the process whereby American girls turn into American women.
—Christopher Hampton (b.1946) British Playwright, Screenwriter
Capitalism has destroyed our belief in any effective power but that of self interest backed by force.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy of protection as any other rights.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Capitalism is based on self-interest and self-esteem; it holds integrity and trustworthiness as cardinal virtues and makes them pay off in the marketplace, thus demanding that men survive by means of virtue, not vices. It is this superlatively moral system that the welfare statists propose to improve upon by means of preventative law, snooping bureaucrats, and the chronic goad of fear.
—Alan Greenspan (b.1926) American Economist
In the democratic western countries, so-called capitalism leads a saturnalia of “freedom,” like a bastard brother of reform.
—Wyndham Lewis (1882–1957) English Novelist, Painter, Critic
Predatory capitalism created a complex industrial system and an advanced technology; it permitted a considerable extension of democratic practice and fostered certain liberal values, but within limits that are now being pressed and must be overcome. It is not a fit system for the mid-twentieth century.
—Noam Chomsky (b.1928) American Linguist, Social Critic
Our alternative is either to stick to a moral tradition which we haven.
—Friedrich Hayek (1899–1992) British Economist, Social Philosopher
The market is not an invention of capitalism. It has existed for centuries. It s an invention of civilization.
—Mikhail Gorbachev (1931–2022) Soviet Head of State
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The most eloquent eulogy of capitalism was made by its greatest enemy. Marx is only anti-capitalist in so far as capitalism is out of date.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
Capitalism is at its liberating best in a noncapitalist environment. The crypto-businessman is the true revolutionary in a Communist country.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Doing well is the result of doing good. That’s what capitalism is all about.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone.
—John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946) English Economist
There is a serious tendency toward capitalism among the well-to-do peasants.
—Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Chinese Statesman
The dynamics of capitalism is postponement of enjoyment to the constantly postponed future.
—Norman O. Brown (1913–2002) American Social Philosopher, Writer
Fact is Our Lord knew all about the power of money: He gave capitalism a tiny niche in His scheme of things, He gave it a chance, He even provided a first installment of funds. Can you beat that? It’s so magnificent. God despises nothing. After all, if the deal had come off, Judas would probably have endowed sanatoriums, hospitals, public libraries or laboratories.
—Georges Bernanos (1888–1948) French Novelist, Polemicist
The evolution of the capitalist style of life could be easily—and perhaps most tellingly—described in terms of the genesis of the modern Lounge Suit.
—Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950) Austrian-American Political Economist, Sociologist
Capitalism knows only one color: that color is green; all else is necessarily subservient to it, hence, race, gender and ethnicity cannot be considered within it.
—Thomas Sowell (b.1930) American Conservative Economist, Political Commentator
Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Under capitalism man exploits man; under socialism the reverse is true.
—Polish Proverb
In civilized society man stands at all times in need of the cooperation and assistance of great multitudes, while his whole life is scarce sufficient to gain the friendship of a few persons… . Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only. He will be more likely to prevail if he can interest their self-love in his favour, and show them that it is for their own advantage to do for him what he requires of them. Whoever offers to another a bargain of any kind, proposes to do this. Give me that which I want, and you shall have this which you want, is the meaning of every such offer; and it is in this manner that we obtain from one another the far greater part of those good offices which we stand in need of. It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest… . Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow citizens.
—George Goodman (b.1930) American Economist, Author
What kind of society isn’t structured on greed? The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system.
—Milton Friedman (1912–2006) American Economist
I’m afraid for all those who’ll have the bread snatched from their mouths by these machines. What business has science and capitalism got, bringing all these new inventions into the works, before society has produced a generation educated up to using them!
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright
There is but one means available to improve the material conditions of mankind: to accelerate the growth of capital accumulated as against the growth in population. The greater the amount of capital invested per head of the worker, the more and better goods can be produced and consumed. This is what capitalism, the much abused profit system, has brought about and brings about daily anew. Yet, most present-day governments and political parties are eager to destroy this system.
—Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) Austrian-American Economist, Social Philosopher
Labor in this country is independent and proud. It has not to ask the patronage of capital, but capital solicits the aid of labor.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
Capital is a result of labor, and is used by labor to assist it in further production. Labor is the active and initial force, and labor is therefore the employer of capital.
—Henry George (1839–97) American Political Economist, Journalist
Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
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