Quote of the week

“There are some truths so completely self-evident, that demonstration is quite superfluous. This is one of that number. For who would attempt to deny, that the certainty of enjoying the fruits of one’s land, capital and labour, is the most powerful inducement to render them productive? Or who is dull enough to doubt, that no one knows so well as the proprietor how to make the best use of his property? Yet how often in practice is that inviolability of property disregarded, which, in theory is allowed by all to be so immensely advantageous? How often is it broken in upon for the most insignificant purposes and its violation, that should naturally excite indignation, justified upon the most flimsy pretexts?”

– Jean Baptiste Say

The quote of the week is brought to you by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union. To support the Union’s campaign for lower taxes and less government waste, click here.