--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To maximise output, every organisation…" description: "\"“To maximise output, every organisation will strive to obtain its necessary raw materials, labour and machinery at the lowest possible cost and combine..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/alain-de-botton-221_economics_to-maximise-output-every-organisation-wi_2364259.jpg" --- # To maximise output, every organisation will strive to… ![“To maximise output, every organisation will strive to obtain its necessary raw materials, labour and machinery at the lowest possible cost and combine them to turn out a product that it will then attempt to sell at the highest possible price... And yet, troublingly, there is one difference between…” quote by Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/alain-de-botton-221_economics_to-maximise-output-every-organisation-wi_2364259.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/alain-de-botton-221_economics_to-maximise-output-every-organisation-wi_2364259.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46e/alain-de-botton-221_economics_to-maximise-output-every-organisation-wi_2364259.jpg) > ““To maximise output, every organisation will strive to obtain its necessary raw materials, labour and machinery at the lowest possible cost and combine them to turn out a product that it will then attempt to sell at the highest possible price... And yet, troublingly, there is one difference between 'labour' and other commodities, a difference that conventional economics does not have a means of representing or giving weight to but that is nevertheless unavoidably present in the world: that labour feels pain.”” [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Labor is unique among commodities because it involves human pain, which economics cannot quantify. **In simple terms:** Work involves human suffering unlike other goods. Key Takeaway Recognize the human cost in production. Themes economics ethics labor rights Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical ethical When to use this quote - factory conditions - gig economy - policy debates Key Concepts human dignity pain value theory Questions to Reflect On - How can we integrate pain into economic assessments? - What policies could protect laborers? A Different Perspective Economic models often ignore human suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) ## Related quotes > [Costs of manufactured articles importantly depend on the cost of raw materials as well as labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/costs-of-manufactured-articles-importantly-depend-on-the-cost-of-raw/) [Charles E. 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