Where there are few people, and a great quantity of…
“Where there are few people, and a great quantity of fertile land, the power of the earth to afford a yearly increase of food may be compared to a great reservoir of water, supplied by a moderate stream. The faster population increases, the more help will be got to draw off the water, and consequently an increasing quantity will be taken every year. But the sooner, undoubtedly, will the reservoir be exhausted, and the streams only remain.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage warns that population growth can outpace food and water resources, leading to scarcity.
In simple terms: Too many people can exhaust natural supplies.
Key Takeaway
Balance population with resource limits.
Themes
population
resources
environment
economics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
economic
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- agricultural policy
- climate adaptation
Key Concepts
carrying capacity
sustainability
resource depletion
Questions to Reflect On
- What measures can ensure sustainable resource use?
- How does population density affect environmental health?
A Different Perspective
Technological advances may mitigate some scarcity concerns.