Money is not an invention of the state. It is not the product of a legislative act.
Carl MengerRead
We are confronted by the appearance of social institutions unintentionally created, vital for the welfare of society, which are not the result of reasoned planning
Interpretation
Social institutions emerge organically rather than through deliberate design, serving essential societal functions.
Carl Menger's quote highlights the idea that many social institutions arise naturally and without careful planning, yet they play a crucial role in the well-being of society. It suggests that these institutions, although unintentional, are vital for maintaining order and fulfilling the needs of individuals within the community.
In practice
In a speech about community development, one might use this quote to illustrate how local traditions help shape the culture.
Money is not an invention of the state. It is not the product of a legislative act.
Those who want the fewest things are nearest to the gods.
The way to misuse our possessions is to use them as an insurance against the morrow. Anxiety is always directed to the morrow, whereas goods are in the strictest sense meant to be used only for to-day.
There is only one solitude, and it is vast, heavy, difficult to bear, and almost everyone has hours when he would gladly exchange it for any kind of sociability, however trivial or cheap, for the tiniest outward agreement with the first person who comes along.
Yoga is not a practice - the word 'yoga' means union. It does not mean standing on your head, twisting your body, or holding your breath. Yoga means to know the union of life. When you experience everything as a part of yourself, you are in yoga.
As I approached my 95th birthday, I was burdened to write a book that addressed the epidemic of 'easy believism.' There is a mindset today that if people believe in God and do good works, they are going to Heaven.
When you look at it that way, you can see how absurd it is that we individualize ourselves with our fences and hoarded possessions.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.