Henry George

Economics United States 1839 – 1897 100 quotes

American economist who advocated a single tax on land values in 'Progress and Poverty'.

Most quoted

"The wide-spread poverty which everywhere exists in spite of the increase of productive power, and which manifests itself in the destitution of masses of men too poor to buy the products of industry, and in the consequent stagnation of industry, is a riddle which the political economy of the day has utterly failed to solve."

— from Progress and Poverty, 1879

"The truth that I have tried to make clear will not be all new to you. It is the truth that has been seen by great intellects in every generation, and has been proclaimed by inspired teachers and prophets as the law of God."

— from Progress and Poverty, 1879

"The ideal social state is not that in which each gets an equal amount of wealth, but in which each gets in proportion to his contribution to the general welfare."

— from Progress and Poverty, 1879

All quotes by Henry George (100)

The progress of society is the progress of justice.

Progress and Poverty 1879

Wealth is produced by labor applied to land.

Progress and Poverty 1879

The corruption of the best is the worst.

Social Problems 1883

Happiness is the only good.

Personal Reflection

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.

Speech

Reform is not in laws, but in men.

Social Problems 1883

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Letter

Poverty amid plenty is the curse of our time.

Progress and Poverty 1879

The right to life is the right to land.

Progress and Poverty 1879

Knowledge is power, but wisdom is strength.

Personal Reflection

The machine multiplies man's power, but not his virtue.

Social Problems 1883

Justice is the cornerstone of society.

Progress and Poverty 1879

Wealth without work is theft.

Speech

The soul of man is immortal; the body is but clay.

Personal Reflection

True progress is moral progress.

Social Problems 1883

The land tax is the key to prosperity.

The Science of Political Economy 1897

Liberty means responsibility.

Letter

The greatest good for the greatest number.

Progress and Poverty 1879

In the end, we will conserve only what we love.

Speech

The measure of a man is what he does with power.

Personal Reflection