Jean-Baptiste Say Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jean-Baptiste Say.

Jean-Baptiste Say (1767-1832) was a prominent French economist and businessman. He is best known for formulating Say's Law, which states that "supply creates its own demand" and emphasizes the importance of production for economic growth. Say played a significant role in the development of classical economics and was a strong advocate of laissez-faire capitalism. Throughout his career, he published numerous works on economics, including his most famous book "A Treatise on Political Economy". Say's contributions helped shape economic thought and continue to influence discussions on market principles and macroeconomic theory.

The love of domination never attains more than a factitious

The love of domination never attains more than a factitious elevation, that is sure to make enemies of all its neighbours.

Jean-Baptiste Say


Some writers maintain arithmetic to be only the only sure gu

Some writers maintain arithmetic to be only the only sure guide in political economy; for my part, I see so many detestable systems built upon arithmetical statements, that I am rather inclined to regard that science as the instrument of national calamity.

Jean-Baptiste Say

Science System

Political economy has only become a science since it has bee

Political economy has only become a science since it has been confined to the results of inductive investigation.

Jean-Baptiste Say

Results Science

A science only advances with certainty, when the plan of inq

A science only advances with certainty, when the plan of inquiry and the object of our researches have been clearly defined; otherwise a small number of truths are loosely laid hold of, without their connexion being perceived, and numerous errors, without being enabled to detect their fallacy.

Jean-Baptiste Say

Truth Science Numbers Plans