All classes of society are trade unionists at heart, and differ chiefly in the boldness, ability, and secrecy with which they pursue their respective interests.

Value is the most invincible and impalpable of ghosts, and comes and goes unthought of, while the visible and dense matter remains as it was.

A little experience is worth much argument; a few facts are better than any theory.

Economists can never be free of from difficulties unless they will distinguish between a theory and the application of a theory.

The difficulties of economics are mainly the difficulties of conceiving clearly and fully the conditions of utility.

we often observe that there is abundance of capital to be had at low rates of interest, while there are also large numbers of artisans starving for want of employment.

As a general rule, it is foolish to do just what other people are doing, because there are almost sure to be too many people doing the same thing.

Logic should no longer be considered an elegant and learned accomplishment; it should take its place as an indispensable study for every well-informed person.

The theory which follows is entirely based on a calculus of pleasure and pain; and the object of economics is to maximize happiness by purchasing pleasure, as it were, at the lowest cost of pain.

but, in reality, there is no such thing as an exact science.

A correct theory is the first step towards improvement, by showing what we need and what we might accomplish.

If you want to get rich from writing, write the sort of thing that's read by persons who move their lips when they're reading to themselves.

Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires - disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way.

Sanity means the wholeness of the consciousness. And our society is only part conscious, like an idiot.

The American films just have so much more publicity and so much more money behind them that it's so hard to compete.

In my younger days, I was trying to write sophisticated prose and fantastic stories.

The linesman flagged initially because he thought I was an Oldham player. Fair enough, I did have a replica shirt on - but I also have a big furry head.

It puts limits on criminals' rights to destroy unborn children without the permission of the woman.

I had a very sexual experience onstage once. But I won't go there.

Prayer that craves a particular commodity, anything less than all good, is vicious.

Symmetry is ennui, and ennui is the very essence of grief and melancholy. Despair yawns.