---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only in economics is endless expansion…"
description: "\"“Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue. In biology it is called cancer.”\" — David Pilling"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg"
---

#  Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue…

![“Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue. In biology it is called cancer.” quote by David Pilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg)

> ““Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue. In biology it is called cancer.””

David Pilling

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Economics praises endless growth, while biology sees unchecked growth as disease.

**In simple terms:** Growth is praised in economics, condemned in biology.

Key Takeaway

Balance growth with sustainability.

Themes

economics biology growth ethics

Mood

critical analytical

Type

explanatory thought‑provoking

When to use this quote

- policy making
- business strategy
- healthcare planning
- education

Key Concepts

systems theory environmentalism capitalism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can economies adopt sustainable limits?
- What lessons can biology teach economics?

A Different Perspective

Unlimited growth is unrealistic on finite resources.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/)

## Related quotes

> [“We have reached a stage where we often pursue growth for growth’s sake, a condition that in medical terminology would simply be called cancer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-laloux/we-have-reached-a-stage-where-we-often-pursue-growth-for-growth-s/)

Frederic Laloux

> [We have common enemies today. It's called childhood poverty. It's called cancer. It's called AIDS. It's called Parkinson's. It's called Muscular Dystrophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-doyle/we-have-common-enemies-today-it-s-called-childhood-poverty-it-s/)

[Jerry Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-doyle/)

> [Too many days, that awful, despicable, rude, ruthless bully called cancer has knocked on the door of those I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryn-kagan/too-many-days-that-awful-despicable-rude-ruthless-bully-called-cancer/)

[Daryn Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryn-kagan/)

> [I understand that space travel and expansion is just as much about altering ourselves, our attitudes, our social structures, our very biology, as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/i-understand-that-space-travel-and-expansion-is-just-as-much-about/)

[Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/)

> [The philosophic spirit of inquiry may be traced to brute curiosity, and that to the habit of examining all things in search of food.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-winwood-reade/the-philosophic-spirit-of-inquiry-may-be-traced-to-brute-curiosity/)

[William Winwood Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-winwood-reade/)

> [The whole of life is a journey toward youthful old age, toward self-contemplation, love, gaiety, and, in a fundamental sense, the most gratifying time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-montagu/the-whole-of-life-is-a-journey-toward-youthful-old-age-toward-self/)

[Ashley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-montagu/)

> [Since the State necessarily lives by the compulsory confiscation of private capital, and since its expansion necessarily involves ever-greater incursions on private individuals and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/since-the-state-necessarily-lives-by-the-compulsory-confiscation-of/)

[Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/)

> [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/)

[Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/)

> [Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-adler/love-is-the-expansion-of-two-natures-in-such-fashion-that-each/)

[Felix Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-adler/)

> [Inflation is not caused by the actions of private citizens, but by the government: by an artificial expansion of the money supply required to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/inflation-is-not-caused-by-the-actions-of-private-citizens-but-by-the/)

[Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/)

> [It is deeply concerning to learn that Linda Thomas-Greenfield repeatedly praised autocratic China's aggressive and troubling expansion into Africa during a 2019 speech at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hagerty/it-is-deeply-concerning-to-learn-that-linda-thomas-greenfield/)

[Bill Hagerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hagerty/)

> [I want business to prosper and make a profit caused by business expansion and prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-barnes/i-want-business-to-prosper-and-make-a-profit-caused-by-business/)

[Roy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-barnes/)

> [With the very rapid expansion of distribution platforms, we want to be in the supply chain with as many types of programs as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haim-saban/with-the-very-rapid-expansion-of-distribution-platforms-we-want-to-be/)

[Haim Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haim-saban/)

> [Obama's perverse view of fairness threatens to create reverse incentives, militating against growth, jobs, expansion and upward mobility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-morris/obama-s-perverse-view-of-fairness-threatens-to-create-reverse/)

[Dick Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-morris/)

> [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/)

[Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/)

## More by David Pilling

> [“For the first time in years, his heart raced, and the old excitement flickered inside him. The excitement of impending battle, clash of arms,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/for-the-first-time-in-years-his-heart-raced-and-the-old-excitement/)

David Pilling

> [“I led my portion of the rearguard across the open ground to the right of the prince’s battalion, and surged into the first company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/i-led-my-portion-of-the-rearguard-across-the-open-ground-to-the-right/)

David Pilling

> [“Leo’s smile widened into a toothy grin. “We shall see,” he said, “come. You have persuaded me into giving you a trial.”    We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/leo-s-smile-widened-into-a-toothy-grin-we-shall-see-he-said-come-you/)

David Pilling

Explore all 4 David Pilling quotes

## More Biology quotes

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [“Genetics is a science full of gods, Mr. Sanchez.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-luiselli/genetics-is-a-science-full-of-gods-mr-sanchez/)

[Valeria Luiselli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-luiselli/)

> [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/)

[Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/)

> [Evolution happens in jumps, very rapidly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/evolution-happens-in-jumps-very-rapidly/)

[Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/)

> [“Toshiaki learned that all living organisms were governed by their DNA. He was impressed by perfection of this system.Why did existence have the ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideaki-sena/toshiaki-learned-that-all-living-organisms-were-governed-by-their-dna/)

Hideaki Sena

> [I'm all about evolution. I'm the first person to judge myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-all-about-evolution-i-m-the-first-person-to-judge-myself/)

[The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/)

> [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/)

[Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/)

> [I think the ethics and morals of genetic engineering are very complicated. It intrigues me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spottiswoode/i-think-the-ethics-and-morals-of-genetic-engineering-are-very/)

[Roger Spottiswoode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spottiswoode/)

> [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/)

[Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/)

> [“A note of caution: epigenetics is also on the verge of transforming into a dangerous idea. Epigenetic modifications of genes can potentially superpose historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/a-note-of-caution-epigenetics-is-also-on-the-verge-of-transforming/)

[Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/)

> [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/)

[Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/)

> [We are coming to a place where the road ends. From here on out, we will be making the road as we walk it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-atlee/we-are-coming-to-a-place-where-the-road-ends-from-here-on-out-we-will/)

Tom Atlee

> [I've always been interested in medicine and was pleased when my brother became a doctor. But after thinking seriously about that field, I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-medicine-and-was-pleased-when-my/)

[Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/)

> [Evolution... is the most powerful and the most comprehensive idea that has ever arisen on Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-huxley/evolution-is-the-most-powerful-and-the-most-comprehensive-idea-that/)

[Julian Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-huxley/)

> [History employs evolution to structure biological events in time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/history-employs-evolution-to-structure-biological-events-in-time/)

[Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/)

[Browse all 3,034 Biology quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue. In biology it is called cancer.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "David Pilling"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-seen-as-a-virtue-in-biology-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Biology"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-seen-as-a-virtue-in-biology-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/655/david-pilling-70992_biology_only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-s_1217292.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Only in economics is endless expansion seen as a virtue. In biology it is called cancer.” — David Pilling",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "David Pilling",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-pilling/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Only in economics is endless expansion...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-seen-as-a-virtue-in-biology-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pilling/only-in-economics-is-endless-expansion-seen-as-a-virtue-in-biology-it/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
