---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where are we to look for the consumption…"
description: "\"Where are we to look for the consumption required but among the unproductive labourers of Adam Smith?.\" — Thomas Malthus"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/thomas-malthus-7621_adam_where-are-we-to-look-for-the-consumption_1666660.png"
---

#  Where are we to look for the consumption required but…

![“Where are we to look for the consumption required but among the unproductive labourers of Adam Smith?.” quote by Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/thomas-malthus-7621_adam_where-are-we-to-look-for-the-consumption_1666660.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/thomas-malthus-7621_adam_where-are-we-to-look-for-the-consumption_1666660.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/thomas-malthus-7621_adam_where-are-we-to-look-for-the-consumption_1666660.png)

> “Where are we to look for the consumption required but among the unproductive labourers of Adam Smith?.”

[Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-malthus/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He suggests that consumption is driven by unproductive labor, implying inefficiency in economic systems.

**In simple terms:** Unproductive workers drive consumption.

Key Takeaway

Identify and reduce wasteful labor.

Themes

economics productivity consumption labor efficiency

Mood

analytical reflective

Type

economic philosophical

When to use this quote

- policy analysis
- business strategy
- academic study

Key Concepts

classical economics resource allocation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we redefine productivity?
- What role does leisure play?

A Different Perspective

Assumes all unproductive labor is wasteful, ignoring potential creative roles.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adam/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adam-smith/) [Consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumption/) [Consumption Required](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumption-required-814875/) [Labourers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labourers/) [Look Consumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-consumption-814874/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Required Unproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/required-unproductive-814873/) [Unproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unproductive/) [Unproductive Labourers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unproductive-labourers-814872/)

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[Letty Cottin Pogrebin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letty-cottin-pogrebin/)

## More by Thomas Malthus

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