In my considered opinion, salary is payment for goods…
““In my considered opinion, salary is payment for goods delivered and it must conform to the law of supply and demand. If, therefore, the fixed salary is a violation of this law - as, for instance, when I see two engineers leaving college together and both equally well trained and efficient, and one getting forty thousand while the other only earns two thousand , or when lawyers and hussars, possessing no special qualifications, are appointed directors of banks with huge salaries - I can only conclude that their salaries are not fixed according to the law of supply and demand but simply by personal influence. And this is an abuse important in itself and having a deleterious effect on government service.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Salary should reflect market supply and demand, not personal influence, to avoid abuse in public service.
In simple terms: Pay must match market value, not favoritism.
Key Takeaway
Ensure compensation aligns with market forces.
Themes
economics
fairness
public service
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- public sector hiring
- salary negotiations
- policy reform
- anti‑nepotism measures
Key Concepts
supply and demand
political influence
government corruption
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance market rates with public interest?
- What safeguards prevent personal influence in salary decisions?
A Different Perspective
Market forces alone may not capture essential public service values.