The dollar is the final term in almost every equation…
“The dollar is the final term in almost every equation which arises in the practice of engineering in any or all of its branches, except qualifiedly as to military and naval engineering, where in some cases cost may be ignored.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cost, especially monetary cost, dominates engineering decisions except in specific military contexts where other factors may outweigh it.
In simple terms: Cost drives engineering choices.
Key Takeaway
Consider cost in design decisions.
Themes
engineering
economics
decision making
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
advice
technical
When to use this quote
- product development
- infrastructure projects
- military design
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
cost analysis
budget constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance cost with other priorities?
- When might you deliberately ignore cost?
A Different Perspective
Cost isn’t the only factor; safety, ethics, and performance also matter.