Anti social Quote by John Maynard Keynes
“Of the maxims of orthodox finance none, surely, is more anti-social than the fetish of liquidity, the doctrine of that it is a positive virtue on the part of investment institutions to concentrate their resources upon the holding of 'liquid' securities. It forgets that there is no such thing as liquidity of investment for the community as a whole.”
About This Quote
Prioritizing liquidity as a virtue ignores that the community as a whole cannot benefit from merely holding cash‑like assets; it overlooks broader economic health.
In simple terms: Liquidity focus neglects community wealth.
Key Takeaway
Liquidity fetish harms societal investment.
Themes
finance
liquidity
economic theory
social welfare
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
economic critique
policy commentary
When to use this quote
- central bank policy debates
- corporate treasury decisions
- public pension fund strategies
Key Concepts
macro‑economic stability
resource allocation
Practical Applications
- balance liquid assets with productive investments
- evaluate social impact of capital placement
Questions to Reflect On
- How much liquidity is optimal for an economy?
- What mechanisms ensure liquidity supports, not hinders, societal goals?
A Different Perspective
Liquidity can be essential for crisis resilience; a blanket dismissal may be extreme.
