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Quotes by Milton Friedman

Born: 31st July 1912, Died: 16th November 2006
Milton Friedman was an American economist known for his advocacy of free-market capitalism and his influential contributions to monetary economics.
Welcome to our compilation of thought-provoking quotes by Milton Friedman, the renowned economist whose insights continue to shape the field of economics. Explore a wide range of topics such as free markets, individual liberty, limited government intervention, and the role of economics in society. Delve into the mind of this Nobel laureate as his words offer valuable perspectives on economic theory, policy, and the principles of capitalism. From his groundbreaking book "Capitalism and Freedom" to his influential television series "Free to Choose," this collection showcases the wisdom and intellect of Milton Friedman, leaving readers inspired to critically assess and debate economic principles.

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand. Read Summary

When government - in pursuit of good intentions - tries to rearrange the economy, legislate morality, or help special interests, the cost come in inefficiency, lack of motivation, and loss of freedom. Government should be a referee, not an active player. Read Summary

Inflation is the one form of taxation that can be imposed without legislation. Read Summary

The world runs on individuals pursuing their self interests. The great achievements of civilization have not come from government bureaus. Einstein didn't construct his theory under order from a, from a bureaucrat. Henry Ford didn't revolutionize the automobile industry that way. Read Summary

Only government can take perfectly good paper, cover it with perfectly good ink and make the combination worthless. Read Summary

We have a system that increasingly taxes work and subsidizes nonwork. Read Summary

The only way that has ever been discovered to have a lot of people cooperate together voluntarily is through the free market. And that's why it's so essential to preserving individual freedom. Read Summary

Many people want the government to protect the consumer. A much more urgent problem is to protect the consumer from the government. Read Summary

Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned. Read Summary

Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program. Read Summary

The Great Depression, like most other periods of severe unemployment, was produced by government mismanagement rather than by any inherent instability of the private economy. Read Summary

The most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit. Read Summary

Well first of all, tell me, is there some society you know of that doesn't run on greed? You think Russia doesn't run on greed? You think China doesn't run on greed? What is greed? Read Summary

The only relevant test of the validity of a hypothesis is comparison of prediction with experience. Read Summary

I am favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible. Read Summary

The greatest advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science and literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government. Read Summary

I'm in favor of legalizing drugs. According to my values system, if people want to kill themselves, they have every right to do so. Most of the harm that comes from drugs is because they are illegal. Read Summary

Most of the energy of political work is devoted to correcting the effects of mismanagement of government. Read Summary

Governments never learn. Only people learn. Read Summary

Indeed, a major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. Read Summary