458 Quotes by John Kenneth Galbraith

I would now, however, more strongly emphasize, and especially as to the United States, the inequality in income and that it is getting worse – that the poor remain poor and the command of income by those in the top income brackets is increasing egregiously. So is the political eloquence and power by which that income is defended. This I did not foresee.

Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it’s just the opposite.

The world of finance hails the invention of the wheel over and over again, often in a slightly more unstable version. All financial innovation involves in one form or another, the creation of debt secured in greater or lesser adequacy by real assets.

All writers know that on some golden mornings they are touched by the wand; they are on intimate terms with poetry and cosmic truth. I have experienced these moments myself. Their lesson is simple: It’s a total illusion. And the danger in the illusion is that you will wait for those moments.

There are days when the result is so bad that no fewer than five revisions are required. In contrast, when I’m greatly inspired, only four revisions are needed.

I have never understood why one’s affections must be confined, as once with women, to a single country.

There’s no question that in my lifetime, the contrast between what I called private affluence and public squalor has become very much greater.

If you’re rich you can buy books. If you’re poor, you need a library.

Where humor is concerned there are no standards – no one can say what is good or bad, although you can be sure that everyone will.