Labour is the source and the measure of the value of…
““Labour is the source and the measure of the value of commodities. But is the price of commodities always determined by their value? Do not prices continually vary according to the rarity or abundance of these commodities? The value of a commodity and its price are two different things; and this is the misfortune, the great misfortune of all of us poor, honest folk, who only want justice, and only ask for our own.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The intrinsic worth of a good is determined by the labor invested, while market price fluctuates with supply and demand, often diverging from that true value.
In simple terms: Labor defines value; price can differ.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between value and price.
Themes
economics
justice
labor
value
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workers negotiating wages
- policy makers setting tariffs
- consumers comparing prices
- businesses pricing products
- activists advocating fair trade
Key Concepts
labor theory of value
price theory
market dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess true value beyond price?
- When might price reflect value accurately?
A Different Perspective
Prices can be manipulated by monopolies or speculation, reducing fairness.