Discipline Quote by Louis O. Kelso
“Work is a means; it is not an end. And for any tasks that can be performed or eliminated by a capital instrument, human labor is not the best means... Furthermore, we have science, engineering and management - the three disciplines - that really plan and control the production of goods and services, trying to eliminate labor. Who the hell is government to come along and try to create labor? The people who are producing wealth are trying to eliminate toil, while the politicians are trying to create it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalism and Freedom, Louis O. Kelso, 1975
Labor should be replaced by technology and management to reduce toil; government should not create jobs.
In simple terms: Replace labor with capital and management.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for automation and efficient governance.
Themes
economics
labor
technology
government
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- industrial planning
- policy making
- business strategy
Key Concepts
Capital efficiency
automation
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect workers?
- How balance automation and employment?
A Different Perspective
Risk of social displacement and inequality.
![“There is not a tool, an implement, or a machine that has not resulted in a decrease in the contribution of human labor. Labor is not made permanently idle [though]; when replaced in one special category... it turns its attack against other obstacles on the main road to progress.” quote by Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0da/frederic-bastiat-2151_categories_there-is-not-a-tool-an-implement-or-a-ma_1496182.jpg)
