Circumstances Quote by Thomas Malthus
“[P]opulation, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every twenty-five years, or increases in a geometrical ratio. ... [T]he means of subsistence, under circumstances the most favorable to human industry, could not possibly be made to increase faster than in an arithmetical ratio.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: An Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798
Population grows geometrically while resources grow arithmetically, leading to potential scarcity.
In simple terms: Population outpaces resources.
Plan for sustainable growth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- food security
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance population and resources?
- What policies mitigate resource strain?
Technological advances can shift resource growth rates.