David Landes Quotes

In this world, the optimists have it, not because they are always right, but because they are positive. Even when they are wrong they are positive, and that is the way of achievement, correction, improvement, and success. Educated, eye-open optimism pays.

If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference.

This world is divided roughly into three kinds of nations: those that spend lots of money to keep their weight down; those whose people eat to live; and those whose people don't know where their next meal is coming from.

Scepticism and refusal of authority is at the heart of scientific endeavour. Scientific knowledge dictates economic possibilities

If the gains from trade in commodities are substantial, they are small compared to trade in ideas

Educated, eyes-open optimism pays; pessimism can only offer the empty consolation of being right.

It is the process of evolution which identifies innovative benefits from any source and selects them on merit without prejudice