Business Quote by Baron de Montesquieu
“The spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then it is that the conveniences of inequality... are felt.”
About This Quote
Commerce thrives on moderation; excess wealth can corrupt its beneficial spirit.
In simple terms: Moderation sustains healthy commerce.
Key Takeaway
Avoid excess in economic pursuits.
Themes
economics
moderation
wealth
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- business strategy
- wealth distribution
Key Concepts
social contract
economic ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms prevent wealth from eroding commerce values?
- How can societies balance wealth creation with equity?
A Different Perspective
Wealth can also fund public good if managed responsibly.
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)