Thomas Malthus Quotes

A writer may tell me that he thinks man will ultimately become an ostrich. I cannot properly contradict him.

- Thomas Malthus

The constant effort towards population, which is found even in the most vicious societies, increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased.

- Thomas Malthus

Population, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every 25 years or increases in a geometrical ratio.

- Thomas Malthus

Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.

- Thomas Malthus

The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.

- Thomas Malthus

The rich, by unfair combinations, contribute frequently to prolong a season of distress among the poor.

- Thomas Malthus

The main peculiarity which distinguishes man from other animals is the means of his support-the power which he possesses of very greatly increasing these means.

- Thomas Malthus

A great emigration necessarily implies unhappiness of some kind or other in the country that is deserted.

- Thomas Malthus

No limits whatever are placed to the productions of the earth; they may increase forever.

- Thomas Malthus

The histories of mankind are histories only of the higher classes.

- Thomas Malthus

The great and unlooked for discoveries that have taken place of late years have all concurred to lead many men into the opinion that we were touching on a period big with the most important changes.

- Thomas Malthus

The ordeal of virtue is to resist all temptation to evil.

- Thomas Malthus

In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.

- Thomas Malthus

It is an acknowledged truth in philosophy that a just theory will always be confirmed by experiment.

- Thomas Malthus

The friend of the present order of things condemns all political speculations in the gross.

- Thomas Malthus

The superior power of population cannot be checked without producing misery or vice.

- Thomas Malthus

I think it will be found that experience, the true source and foundation of all knowledge, invariably confirms its truth.

- Thomas Malthus

I do not know that any writer has supposed that on this earth man will ultimately be able to live without food.

- Thomas Malthus

Each pursues his own theory, little solicitous to correct or improve it by an attention to what is advanced by his opponents.

- Thomas Malthus