Ragnar Frisch

Economics Norway 1895 – 1973 101 quotes

Norwegian economist who coined 'econometrics' and developed mathematical models.

Most quoted

"Econometrics is by its very nature a unification of three different points of view which are separate in other branches of economics. These are the points of view of statistics, economic theory, and mathematics."

— from Econometrica, 1933

"The task of econometrics is to subject economic theory to statistical tests and to provide numerical estimates of the parameters of economic relationships."

— from Econometrica, 1933

"The term 'econometrics' is not meant to imply that economics is a science of measurement, but rather that it is a science which uses measurement as a tool."

— from Econometrica, 1933

All quotes by Ragnar Frisch (101)

In economics, as in chess, anticipation of moves defines the master.

Article 1938

Policy without data is like navigation without a compass.

Speech 1960

Happiness is not in accumulation, but in the wise allocation of resources.

Personal Reflection 1970

Econometrics turns the art of economics into a science.

Book 1930

The greatest economic sin is ignoring the intertemporal choices we make.

Lecture 1948

In my youth, I saw economics as puzzles; now as life's blueprint.

Interview 1965

A witty economist knows that utility is maximized in laughter too.

Correspondence 1955

Business cycles are the economy's heartbeat; irregular, but vital.

Book 1933

Freedom in economics means choice under constraints.

Article 1942

The Nobel Prize honors not just me, but the method of econometrics.

Nobel Lecture 1969

Life's equilibrium is as fragile as an economic one.

Letter 1972

Statistics without theory is blind; theory without statistics is lame.

Speech 1935

In economics, the marginal revolution is eternal.

Book 1928

A good model simplifies without losing the essence.

Lecture 1952

War teaches us the true cost of resources squandered.

Article 1945

The joy of discovery in econometrics rivals any art.

Diary Excerpt 1931

Critics say our models are too abstract; I say they are bridges to reality.

Interview 1962

Economic planning must respect the unpredictability of human will.

Book 1947

Time is the scarcest commodity, and thus the most valuable.

Speech 1958

From Oslo to the world, econometrics unites us in pursuit of truth.

Acceptance Speech 1969