Benefits Quote by Thomas Malthus
“To estimate the value of Newton's discoveries, or the delight communicated by Shakespeare and Milton, by the price at which their works have sold, would be but a poor measure of the degree in which they have elevated and enchanted their country; nor would it be less grovelling and incongruous to estimate the benefit which the country has derived from the Revolution of 1688, by the pay of the soldiers, and all other payments concerned in effecting it.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: An Essay on the Principle of Population, 1798
Measuring cultural or political impact by monetary value ignores their deeper societal enrichment.
In simple terms: Money can't gauge true cultural value.
Key Takeaway
Assess impact beyond price.
Themes
culture
politics
valuation
history
economics
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- art valuation
- educational curricula
- public discourse
- heritage preservation
Key Concepts
intangible value
social enrichment
historical impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better capture non‑economic contributions?
- What alternative metrics reflect cultural significance?
A Different Perspective
Monetary metrics often miss qualitative benefits.
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