Conflict Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
“One of the eternal conflicts out of which life is made up is that between the effort of every man to get the most he can for his services, and that of society, disguised under the name of capital, to get his services for the least possible return.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Common Law, 1881
The tension between individual labor seeking maximum reward and societal forces seeking minimal cost creates a perpetual conflict.
In simple terms: People want high pay; society wants low cost.
Key Takeaway
Balance personal ambition with societal fairness.
Themes
economics
labor
society
conflict
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
economic
When to use this quote
- employment negotiations
- policy making
- business contracts
- union discussions
Key Concepts
capitalism
human nature
fairness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can workers and employers find mutually beneficial terms?
- What role does regulation play in this tension?
A Different Perspective
The quote may oversimplify complex market dynamics and ignore mutual benefits.
