Ability Quote by Will Durant
“The concentration of wealth is a natural result of this concentration of ability, and regularly recurs in history. The rate of concentration varies (other factors being equal) with the economic freedom permitted by morals and laws.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Story of Civilization, Volume 1, 1935
Wealth tends to accumulate among those with greater ability, and the degree of concentration depends on how much economic freedom societies allow.
In simple terms: Ability leads to wealth; freedom affects how much it concentrates.
Recognize how policy shapes wealth distribution.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- tax policy design
- education investment
- anti‑monopoly regulation
- social mobility programs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do laws influence wealth gaps?
- What role does moral judgment play in economic freedom?
If freedom is limited, wealth may concentrate even among less able individuals.