You talk about making this article cheaper by reducing its price in the market from 8 d. to 6 d. But suppose, in so doing, you have rendered your country weaker against a foreign foe; suppose you have demoralized thousands of your fellow-countrymen, and have sown discontent between one class of society and another, your article is tolerably dear, I take it, after all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lowering prices might seem beneficial, but if it weakens the country or harms social unity, the cost is too high.
- In plain terms
- Cheap goods are expensive if they hurt the nation or society.
- What can you take from it?
- Consider societal costs, not just price, when evaluating value.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What hidden costs come with cheap goods?
- How do you value societal health?
Another view
Low prices can sometimes uplift the poor significantly.
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