Automation Quote by E. F. Schumacher
“From the point of view of the employer, it is in any case simply an item of cost, to be reduced to a minimum if it cannot be eliminated altogether, say, by automation. From the point of view of the workman, it is a "disutility"; to work is to make a sacrifice of one's leisure and comfort, and wages are a kind of compensation for the sacrifice.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Small Is Beautiful by E. F. Schumacher, 1973
Employers see labor as a cost to cut; workers view it as a sacrifice compensated by wages.
In simple terms: Work is a trade‑off between cost and leisure.
Key Takeaway
Balance cost reduction with fair compensation.
Themes
economics
labor
automation
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- budget cuts
- automation decisions
- wage negotiations
- policy making
Key Concepts
cost-benefit analysis
human capital
ethical business
Questions to Reflect On
- How can firms cut costs without harming workers?
- What alternatives to automation exist?
A Different Perspective
Reducing labor may harm morale and productivity.
