William Petty Quotes

For every Seaman of Industry and Ingenuity, is not only a Navigator, but a Merchant, and also a Soldier.

The trade of banks is the buying and selling of interest and exchange.

Money is the best rule of commerce.

Causes of Civil War are also, that the Wealth of the Nation is in too few mens hands, and that no certain means are provided to keep all men from a necessity either to beg, or steal, or be Souldiers.

A thousand acres that can feed a thousand souls is better than ten thousand acres of no more effect.

An house is of a double nature, viz., one, wherein it is a way and means of expence, the other as it is an instrument and tool of gain.

Wherefore the race being not to the swift, etc. but time and chance happening to all men, I leave the Judgement of the whole to the Candid, of whose correction I shall never be impatient.

That some are poorer than others, ever was and ever will be: And that many are naturally querulous and envious, is an Evil as old as the World.

No man pays double or twice for the same thing, forasmuch as nothing can be spent but once.

Raising of money may indeed change the species, but with so much loss as the foreign pieces were raised unto, above their intrinsick value.

I hope no man takes what I said about the living and dieing of men for mathematical demonstration.