David Ricardo

Economics English 1772 – 1823 289 quotes

Theory of comparative advantage

Quotes by David Ricardo

The general tendency of the profits of capital is to fall.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The only way in which the profits of the farmer can be increased, is by a fall in the price of the labour which he employs.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The interest of the consumer is always to have the commodities cheap.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The whole produce of the land and labour of every country is divided into three portions: of these, one portion, and generally the largest, is paid to the labourers, as wages; another portion, and generally the smallest, is paid to the landlords, as rent; and the remaining portion is paid to the capitalists, as profit.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The value of money is inversely as its quantity.

The High Price of Bullion, a Proof of the Depreciation of Bank Notes 1810

The rise of rent is always the effect of the increasing wealth of the country, and of the difficulty of providing food for its augmented population.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The price of corn is not a cause of high rent, but a consequence of it.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The profits of stock are regulated by the productiveness of the last portion of capital employed upon the land.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The interest of the landlord is always opposed to the interest of the consumer.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The only way in which the condition of the labouring classes can be permanently improved, is by a reduction in the price of food.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The rate of profit is determined by the proportion which the whole produce of the land and labour bears to the whole capital employed.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The value of a commodity is regulated by the quantity of labour necessary to its production, and not by the greater or less compensation which is paid for that labour.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The profits of stock are diminished by the increased difficulty of procuring food.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The interest of the capitalist is always to obtain the greatest possible net produce from his capital.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The value of all commodities is regulated by the quantity of labour necessary to their production.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The rate of wages is determined by the proportion between the supply of labour and the demand for it.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The profits of stock are always highest where the wages of labour are lowest.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The interest of the labourer is always to obtain the highest possible wages.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817

The value of money is not determined by the quantity of the precious metals in a country, but by the quantity of them which is in circulation.

The High Price of Bullion, a Proof of the Depreciation of Bank Notes 1810

The profits of stock are always lowest where the wages of labour are highest.

On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation 1817