Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed by them.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Do not dismayed daughters, at the number of things which you have to consider before setting out on this divine journey, which is the royal road to heaven. By taking this road we gain such precious treasures that it is no wonder if the cost seems to us a high one. The time will come when we shall realize that all we have paid has been nothing at all by comparison with the greatness of our prizes.
—Teresa of Avila (1515–82) Spanish Carmelite Nun, Mystic
I have no concern with any economic criticisms of the communist system; I cannot inquire into whether the abolition of private property is expedient or advantageous. But I am able to recognize that the psychological premises on which the system is based are an untenable illusion. In abolishing private property we deprive the human love of aggression of one of its instruments… but we have in no way altered the differences in power and influence which are misused by aggressiveness.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce.
—Adam Smith (1723–90) Scottish Philosopher, Economist
Possession, it is true, crowns exertion with rest; but it is only in the illusions of fancy that it has power to charm us.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) German Philosopher, Linguist, Statesman
What we call real estate—the solid ground to build a house on—is the broad foundation on which nearly all the guilt of this world rests.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
No man acquires property without acquiring with it a little arithmetic also.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Professors in every branch of the sciences, prefer their own theories to truth: the reason is that their theories are private property, but truth is common stock.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
In no other country in the world is the love of property keener or more alert than in the United States, and nowhere else does the majority display less inclination toward doctrines which in any way threaten the way property is owned.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
We take care of our health, we lay up money, we make our roof tight and our clothing sufficient, but who provides wisely that he shall not be wanting in the best property of all—friends?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Our laws make law impossible; our liberties destroy all freedom; our property is organized robbery; our morality an impudent hypocrisy; our wisdom is administered by inexperienced or mal-experienced dupes; our power wielded by cowards and weaklings; and our honour false in all its points. I am an enemy of the existing order for good reasons
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Labor: One of the processes by which A acquires property of B.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead us to a war upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich and, hence, is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus, by example, assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The best things in life aren’t things.
—Art Buchwald (1925–2007) American Humorist, Satirist, Columnist
No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
—Unknown
The earth is the general and equal possession of all humanity and therefore cannot be the property of individuals.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
What between the duties expected of one during one’s lifetime, and the duties exacted from one after one’s death, land has ceased to be either a profit or a pleasure. It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up. That’s all that can be said about land.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The more we have the less we own.
—Meister Eckhart (c.1260–1327) German Christian Mystic
Whatever is not nailed down is mine. What I can pry loose is not nailed down.
—Collis Potter Huntington (1821–1900) American Railway Magnate
How many are the things I can do without!
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Where there is no property there is no injustice.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
What our generation has forgotten is that the system of private property is the most important guarantee of freedom, not only for those who own property, but scarcely less for those who do not. It is only because the control of the means of production is divided among many people acting independently that nobody has complete power over us, that we as individuals can decide what to do with ourselves.
—Friedrich Hayek (1899–1992) British Economist, Social Philosopher
Less is more.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
Don’t you know that if people could bottle the air they would? Don’t you know that there would be an American Air-bottling Association? And don’t you know that they would allow thousands and millions to die for want of breath, if they could not pay for air? I am not blaming anybody. I am just telling how it is.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.
—Ken Keyes Jr. (1921–95) American Personal Growth Author
Why grab possessions like thieves, or divide them like socialists, when you can ignore them like wise men?
—Natalie Clifford Barney (1876–1972) American Playwright, Poet, Novelist
If property had simply pleasures, we could stand it; but its duties make it unbearable. In the interest of the rich we must get rid of it.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
A great object is always answered, whenever any property is transferred from hands that are not fit for that property to those that are.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Property is desirable as the ground work of moral independence, as a means of improving the faculties, and of doing good to others, and as the agent in all that distinguishes the civilized man from the savage.
—James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) American Novelist
Property is theft.
—Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809–65) French Social Philosopher, Journalist
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