Earth Quote by Thomas Malthus
“The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798
States that human population can grow without limit, outpacing the Earth’s capacity to provide food, leading to scarcity.
In simple terms: Population can exceed food supply.
Key Takeaway
Plan for sustainable resource use.
Themes
population
resources
economics
environment
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
economic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- food security
- policy making
Key Concepts
Malthusian theory
carrying capacity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance growth and resources?
- What policies mitigate overpopulation risks?
A Different Perspective
Technological advances can increase food production.
![“[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.” quote by Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16b/thomas-malthus-7621_circumstances_p-opulation-when-unchecked-goes-on-doubl_324443.jpg)
