Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. Anything that is disagreeable must surely have beneficial economic effects.
Summary
This quote suggests that there is a common belief that suffering, particularly when experienced by others, must serve some economic purpose. The notion here is that any kind of hardship or negative circumstance must ultimately lead to positive economic outcomes. This perspective reveals a skeptical attitude towards the idea that suffering is futile or serves no meaningful purpose. It implies that people tend to perceive discomfort or adversity as offering potential economic gains or advantages, which may help them rationalize or find value even in unpleasant situations.