Cheap Quote by Donella Meadows
“No one wants growth, constant expansion, physical swelling. Growth is not a human value; it's a means to the ends of sufficiency and security. Once we have enough, no one wants more, unless it is sold to us as a cheap substitute for something else, something non-material.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Limits to Growth, 1972
Human desire for endless growth is artificial; true sufficiency is achieved when needs are met, and further expansion is often a substitute for deeper fulfillment.
In simple terms: Endless growth is unnecessary; sufficiency is enough.
Key Takeaway
Focus on meeting needs rather than endless expansion.
Themes
sustainability
needs
materialism
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
environmental
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- urban planning
- environmental policy
Key Concepts
economics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑material needs could replace material growth?
- How can societies value sufficiency over expansion?
A Different Perspective
Economic systems often incentivize growth despite sufficiency.
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