Activity Quote by Julian Simon
“Adding more people causes problems. But people are also the means to solve these problems. The main fuel to speed the world’s progress is our stock of knowledge; the brakes are our lack of imagination and unsound social regulations of these activities. The ultimate resource is people—especially skilled, spirited, and hopeful young people endowed with liberty—who will exert their wills and imaginations for their own benefits, and so inevitably they will benefit the rest of us as well.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ultimate Resource by Julian Simon, 1981
Human capital drives progress; knowledge fuels growth, while imagination and regulation can hinder it. Skilled, hopeful youth are the key resource that benefits society.
In simple terms: People are the main engine of progress, but imagination and bad rules can slow it.
Key Takeaway
Invest in education and freedom for youth.
Themes
progress
human capital
innovation
Mood
optimistic
concerned
Type
motivational
analytical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- startup ecosystems
- policy design
- community projects
Key Concepts
economics
demography
social policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance regulation with creative freedom?
- What policies best nurture youthful imagination?
A Different Perspective
Without imagination, knowledge alone stalls; over‑regulation can stifle creativity.
![“There is only one important resource which has shown a trend of increasing scarcity rather than increasing abundance. That resource is the most important of all—human beings. . . . [An] increase in the price of peoples’ services is a clear indication that people are becoming more scarce even…” quote by Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c0c/julian-simon-26245_abundance_there-is-only-one-important-resource-whi_163155.jpg)
