The idea that political freedom can be preserved in the absence of economic freedom, and vice versa, is an illusion. Political freedom is the corollary of economic freedom.
Ludwig Von MisesRead
All rational action is in the first place individual action. Only the individual thinks. Only the individual reasons. Only the individual acts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of individual thought and action in rational decision-making.
Ludwig Von Mises asserts that rationality originates from the individual, highlighting that thinking, reasoning, and acting are inherently personal processes. This underscores the significance of individualism in understanding human behavior and decision-making, suggesting that collective actions stem from the choices made by individuals rather than groups.
Themes
IndividualRationalityActionThoughtReason
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about personal freedom, this quote can highlight the importance of individual responsibility.
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The public firm can nowhere maintain itself in free competition with the private firm; it is possible today only where it has a monopoly that excludes competition. Even that alone is evidence of its lesser economic productivity.
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Each epoch has found in the Gospels what it sought to find there, and has overlooked what it wished to overlook.
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Even if you tell yourself "Today I'm going to drink coffee the wrong way ... from a dirty boot." Even that would be right, because you chose to drink coffee from that boot. Because you can do nothing wrong. You are always right. Even when you say, "I'm such an idiot, I'm so wrong..." you're right. You're right about being wrong. You're right even when you're an idiot. No matter how stupid your idea, you're doomed to be right because it's yours.
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The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.
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Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.
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