All occasions Quote by John Ramsay McCulloch
“The principle of laissez-faire may be safely trusted to in some things but in many more it is wholly inapplicable; and to appeal to it on all occasions savors more of the policy of a parrot than of a statesman or a philosopher.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Principles of Political Economy, 1842
The idea that government should never intervene works only in limited cases; overusing it makes policy sound hollow and unprincipled.
In simple terms: Laissez‑faire works rarely; overuse makes policy empty.
Key Takeaway
Apply intervention selectively, not universally.
Themes
government
policy
intervention
economics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- regulatory reform
- social welfare programs
- economic planning
- public health initiatives
Key Concepts
libertarianism
public good
policy limits
Questions to Reflect On
- When is non‑intervention harmful?
- How to balance freedom and responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring context can cause harm and ignore real needs.
