Ability Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“Good writing, and this is especially important in a subject such as economics, must also involve the reader in the matter at hand. It is not enough to explain. The images that are in the mind of the writer must be made to reappear in the mind of the reader, and it is the absence of this ability that causes much economic writing to be condemned, quite properly, as abstract.”
About This Quote
Source Economics Textbook: The Affluent Society, 1958
Economic writing should create vivid mental images for readers, not remain abstract, to avoid being condemned as meaningless.
In simple terms: Write economics with clear, relatable images.
Key Takeaway
Make ideas visual and concrete.
Themes
economics
communication
clarity
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
academic
instructional
When to use this quote
- teaching economics
- writing workshops
- public policy briefs
Key Concepts
visualization
pedagogy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you translate abstract data into everyday language?
- What images help you grasp economic concepts?
A Different Perspective
Complex data may resist simplification.
