--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An economic system which can only expand…" description: "\"An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.\" — Edward Abbey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa7/edward-abbey-254_economic_an-economic-system-which-can-only-expand_1867408.png" --- # An economic system which can only expand or expire must be… ![“An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.” quote by Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa7/edward-abbey-254_economic_an-economic-system-which-can-only-expand_1867408.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa7/edward-abbey-254_economic_an-economic-system-which-can-only-expand_1867408.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa7/edward-abbey-254_economic_an-economic-system-which-can-only-expand_1867408.png) > “An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.” [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that an economic system limited to growth or collapse cannot fully reflect human nature. **In simple terms:** Economies must allow for more than just growth or death. Key Takeaway Seek balanced economic models. Themes economics philosophy human nature Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - policy making - business strategy - environmental planning Key Concepts sustainability systemic risk Questions to Reflect On - Can economies be designed to accommodate human complexity? - What alternatives exist to pure growth models? A Different Perspective Human behavior is complex and may not fit simple economic models. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Economic Expand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-expand-2554776/) [Economic system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-system/) [Economic systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-systems/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Expand Expire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expand-expire-2554778/) [Expire False](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expire-false-2554777/) [False](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false/) [False Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-human-1693019/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) ## Related quotes > [“They cannot see that growth for the sake of growth is a cancerous madness, that Phoenix and Albuquerque will not be better cities to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/they-cannot-see-that-growth-for-the-sake-of-growth-is-a-cancerous/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Personality is everything that's false in a human: everything that's been added on to him and contrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/personality-is-everything-that-s-false-in-a-human-everything-that-s/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Nothing is so false as human life, nothing so treacherous. 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Why this cult of wilderness? Why the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/but-why-the-questioner-insists-why-do-people-like-you-pretend-to-love/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Civilization is a youth with a molotov cocktail in his hand. Culture is the Soviet tank or L.A. cop that guns him down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/civilization-is-a-youth-with-a-molotov-cocktail-in-his-hand-culture/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [All revolutions have failed? Perhaps. But rebellion for good cause is self- justifying -- a good in itself. Rebellion transforms slaves into human beings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/all-revolutions-have-failed-perhaps-but-rebellion-for-good-cause-is/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“Me, I'm living under a sword too, as Jack may have told you. 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