--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because we can expect future generations…" description: "\"Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking us to refrain from using resources now ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg" --- # Because we can expect future generations to be richer than… ![“Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking us to refrain from using resources now so that future generations can have them later is like asking the poor to make gifts to the rich.” quote by Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg) > “Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking us to refrain from using resources now so that future generations can have them later is like asking the poor to make gifts to the rich.” [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Assuming future generations will be wealthier, restricting current resource use for their benefit is illogical, akin to asking the poor to give gifts to the rich. **In simple terms:** Future wealth makes current resource limits unnecessary. Key Takeaway Use resources wisely now. Themes economics intergenerational equity resource management inequality Mood thoughtful critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - environmental planning - personal consumption Key Concepts sustainable development future wealth resource scarcity Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance current needs with future uncertainties? - Is it fair to limit present usage based on speculative future wealth? A Different Perspective Future prosperity may not materialize as expected. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Future generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-generation/) [Future generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-generations/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Generations Richer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations-richer-4421141/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [No matter what](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-matter-what/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Refrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refrain/) [Resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources/) [Resources Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources-future-4377462/) [Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rich/) [Richer Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richer-matter-4421142/) [Using resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/using-resources/) ## Related quotes > [I would like my architecture to inspire people to use their own resources, to move into the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tadao-ando/i-would-like-my-architecture-to-inspire-people-to-use-their-own/) [Tadao Ando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tadao-ando/) > [If the world is to save any part of its resources for the future, it must reduce not only consumption but the number of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/if-the-world-is-to-save-any-part-of-its-resources-for-the-future-it/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) > [Philanthropy is not about the money. It's about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melinda-gates/philanthropy-is-not-about-the-money-it-s-about-using-whatever/) [Melinda Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melinda-gates/) > [Criticism of growth arose with the discovery that growth beyond a certain point is destructive of the earth. We are already using resources much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-cobb/criticism-of-growth-arose-with-the-discovery-that-growth-beyond-a/) [John B. Cobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-b-cobb/) > [Some people say that the West has a cruel history. These people also may see the achievements of Western countries - in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/some-people-say-that-the-west-has-a-cruel-history-these-people-also/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I'm using all my resources to help me with that and I feel the sky is the limit for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-green/i-m-using-all-my-resources-to-help-me-with-that-and-i-feel-the-sky-is/) [William Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-green/) > [We are using resources as if we had two planets, not one. There can be no 'plan B' because there is no 'planet B.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/we-are-using-resources-as-if-we-had-two-planets-not-one-there-can-be/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [Illegal immigrants are using our resources, taking our jobs, filling our schools, our hospitals and our prisons, and we are paying for it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-benishek/illegal-immigrants-are-using-our-resources-taking-our-jobs-filling/) [Dan Benishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-benishek/) > [A few major opportunities, clearly recognizable as such, will usually come to one who continuously searches and waits, with a curious mind, loving diagnosis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/a-few-major-opportunities-clearly-recognizable-as-such-will-usually/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [After a decade of war you have this Pentagon-military apparatus run amok using resources that they shouldn't be to try to manipulate U.S. public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/after-a-decade-of-war-you-have-this-pentagon-military-apparatus-run/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [Whatever we do toward energy independence has to be done in the context of using less resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-mulally/whatever-we-do-toward-energy-independence-has-to-be-done-in-the/) [Alan Mulally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-mulally/) > [We must obviously be much more clever in using resources, regulate with tax and promote innovations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-rosling/we-must-obviously-be-much-more-clever-in-using-resources-regulate/) [Hans Rosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-rosling/) > [“It’s not hacking,” she protested. “It’s using my resources in a manner that yields more information.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-king/it-s-not-hacking-she-protested-it-s-using-my-resources-in-a-manner/) [Simone King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-king/) > [The frightening aspect is that it's part of a larger effort from the Pentagon to tear down the wall between public affairs and propaganda,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hastings/the-frightening-aspect-is-that-it-s-part-of-a-larger-effort-from-the/) [Michael Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hastings/) > [The vast majority of doctors really do try to take the money out of their minds. But to provide the best possible care requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/the-vast-majority-of-doctors-really-do-try-to-take-the-money-out-of/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) ## More by Julian Simon > [There is only one important resource which has shown a trend of increasing scarcity rather than increasing abundance. That resource is the most important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/there-is-only-one-important-resource-which-has-shown-a-trend-of/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Our whole evolution up to this point shows that human groups spontaneously evolve patterns of behavior, as well as patterns of training people for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/our-whole-evolution-up-to-this-point-shows-that-human-groups/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Human beings create more than they destroy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/human-beings-create-more-than-they-destroy/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Not understanding the process of a spontaneously-ordered economy goes hand-in-hand with not understanding the creation of resources and wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/not-understanding-the-process-of-a-spontaneously-ordered-economy-goes/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [The increase in the world's population represents our victory over death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/the-increase-in-the-world-s-population-represents-our-victory-over/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [The most important benefit of population size and growth is the increase it brings to the stock of useful knowledge. Minds matter economically as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/the-most-important-benefit-of-population-size-and-growth-is-the/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Our supplies of natural resources are not finite in any economic sense. Nor does past experience give reason to expect natural resources to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/our-supplies-of-natural-resources-are-not-finite-in-any-economic/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [“This is my long-run forecast in brief: The material conditions of life will continue to get better for most people, in most countries, most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/this-is-my-long-run-forecast-in-brief-the-material-conditions-of-life/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Letting the religious right teach ID in schools is like letting the Marines teach poetry in advanced combat training. As a scientist, I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/letting-the-religious-right-teach-id-in-schools-is-like-letting-the/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Progress toward a more abundant material life does not come like manna from heaven. . . . My message certainly is not one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/progress-toward-a-more-abundant-material-life-does-not-come-like/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [The standard of living has risen along with the size of the world's population since the beginning of recorded time. There is no convincing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/the-standard-of-living-has-risen-along-with-the-size-of-the-world-s/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [All of us necessarily hold many casual opinions that are ludicrously wrong simply because life is far too short for us to think through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/all-of-us-necessarily-hold-many-casual-opinions-that-are-ludicrously/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Based on first-hand evidence of your own senses - the improved health and later ages at which acquaintances die nowadays as compared with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/based-on-first-hand-evidence-of-your-own-senses-the-improved-health/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [We now have in our hands—really, in our libraries—the technology to feed, clothe, and supply energy to an ever-growing population for the next seven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/we-now-have-in-our-hands-really-in-our-libraries-the-technology-to/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) > [Not understanding the process of a spontaneously-ordered economy goes hand-in-hand with not understanding the creation of resources and wealth. And when a person does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/not-understanding-the-process-of-a-spontaneously-ordered-economy-goes-2/) [Julian Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) [Explore all 22 Julian Simon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/) ## More Asking quotes > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Stop asking yourself how or why and tell yourself you can." - Charmainism”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-smith-ladd/stop-asking-yourself-how-or-why-and-tell-yourself-you-can-charmainism/) [Charmaine Smith Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-smith-ladd/) > [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [People will identify with a persecuted minority without asking themselves what they are identifying with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/people-will-identify-with-a-persecuted-minority-without-asking/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [If you're having a bad day already and everybody is just asking you petty questions, it drives people to the edge, or something really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/if-you-re-having-a-bad-day-already-and-everybody-is-just-asking-you/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [You never give away your heart; you lend it from time to time. If it were not so, how could we take it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/you-never-give-away-your-heart-you-lend-it-from-time-to-time-if-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [I'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Use Google Before Asking A Stupid Question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muskaan/use-google-before-asking-a-stupid-question/) [Muskaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muskaan/) > [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/whether-that-s-speaking-up-in-your-job-or-asking-for-a-promotion-or/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [Love cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/love-cannot-be-had-for-the-asking-it-comes-only-as-a-gift-from-the/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [The Baseball Hall of Fame is something every player dreams about, but being a member of God's Hall of Fame is the greatest achievement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-carter/the-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-something-every-player-dreams-about-but/) [Gary Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-carter/) > [“In such a regime, I say you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/in-such-a-regime-i-say-you-died-a-good-death-if-your-life-had/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) [Browse all 3,313 Asking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking us to refrain from using resources now so that future generations can have them later is like asking the poor to make gifts to the rich.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Julian Simon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/because-we-can-expect-future-generations-to-be-richer-than-we-are-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asking" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/because-we-can-expect-future-generations-to-be-richer-than-we-are-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6a/julian-simon-26245_asking_because-we-can-expect-future-generations_2135340.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources…” — Julian Simon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Julian Simon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-simon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Because we can expect future generations...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/because-we-can-expect-future-generations-to-be-richer-than-we-are-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-simon/because-we-can-expect-future-generations-to-be-richer-than-we-are-no/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```