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About this quote

What does it mean?
Friedman distinguishes between needing to grow and merely desiring growth.
In plain terms
Growth is a wish not a requirement.
What can you take from it?
Growth is optional not essential.

Where it applies

  • economic planning
  • business strategy
  • development goals

Putting it to work

  • assess growth needs
  • prioritize goals

Questions to consider

  • Must we always grow?
  • What if we stop growing?

Another view

Some systems depend on continuous growth to function.

More from Milton Friedman

  1. The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. We have a system that increasingly taxes work and subsidizes non-work.

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. The business of business is business.

    Permalink to quote #38

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