Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.
Thomas MalthusRead
The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the imbalance between population growth and the Earth's ability to provide resources.
Thomas Malthus's quote suggests that human population growth will always outpace the production of food and resources needed for survival. This idea speaks to the limits of the Earth's capacity to sustain humanity and presents a warning about the potential consequences of unchecked population growth, including famine and societal conflict over scarce resources.
Themes
PopulationResourcesSubsistenceMalthusGrowthFamineSustainability
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about sustainability during a climate change conference.
More from Thomas Malthus
All quotes βThe prodigious waste of human life occasioned by this perpetual struggle for room and food, was more than supplied by the mighty power of population, acting, in some degree, unshackled, from the constant habit of emigration.
Thomas MalthusRead
The rich, by unfair combinations, contribute frequently to prolong a season of distress among the poor.
Thomas MalthusRead
In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.
Thomas MalthusRead
I think it will be found that experience, _x000D_ the true source and foundation of all knowledge, _x000D_ invariably confirms its truth.
Thomas MalthusRead
Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio. Subsistence increases only in an arithmetical ratio. A slight acquaintance with numbers will shew the immensity of the first power in comparison of the second.
Thomas MalthusRead
Similar quotes
we must not blame our poor symbols if they take forms that seem trivial to us, or absurd, ... however paltry they may be; the nature of our life alone has determined their forms.
Angela CarterRead
Not because Socrates said so, but because it is in truth my own disposition β and perchance to some excess β I look upon all men as my compatriots, and embrace a Pole as a Frenchman, making less account of the national than of the universal and common bond.
Michel De MontaigneRead
The apology, that is constantly put forth for the injustice of government, viz., that a man must consent to give up some of his rights, in order to have his other rights protected - involves a palpable absurdity, both legally and politically.
Lysander SpoonerRead
There's this man who lives in the sky, and he has ten things he doesn't want you to do, and you'll burn for a long time if you do them. But he loves you.
George CarlinRead
Ages when custom is unsettled are necessarily ages of prophecy. The moralist cannot teach what is revealed; he must reveal what can be taught. He has to seek insight rather than to preach.
Walter LippmannRead
If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of Godβs sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.
R. C. SproulRead