Skip to content

Economic Quote by Thomas Woods

“Keynesians think that you can take water from the deep end of the swimming, pump it into the shallow end of the swimming pool and somehow the water level of the swimming pool will rise.” quote by Thomas Woods
Download Open image
“Keynesians think that you can take water from the deep end of the swimming, pump it into the shallow end of the swimming pool and somehow the water level of the swimming pool will rise.”

Thomas Woods

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Economics of Water, 2015

Woods uses a swimming pool analogy to criticize Keynesian fiscal policy, suggesting that moving resources from deep to shallow does not increase overall wealth.

In simple terms: Keynesian policies shift resources without creating new wealth.

Key Takeaway

Question the effectiveness of redistributive policies.

Themes

economics policy critique

Mood

skeptical analytical

Type

economic political

When to use this quote

  • government budgeting
  • public welfare programs
  • tax policy

Key Concepts

macroeconomics fiscal stimulus resource allocation

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can redistribution ever increase total wealth?
  • What are the limits of fiscal stimulus?
A Different Perspective

The analogy ignores multiplier effects and demand-side dynamics.

2.5 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by Thomas Woods

Explore all 14 Thomas Woods quotes

More Economic quotes

Browse all 6,235 Economic quotes