The perpetual tendency of the race of man to increase beyond the means of subsistence is one of the general laws of animated nature, which we can have no reason to expect to change.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humanity has a natural tendency to grow beyond available resources, a law of nature unlikely to change.
- In plain terms
- People naturally multiply faster than resources can support them.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the limits of growth versus resource availability.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can we sustain infinite growth?
- What limits exist for expansion?
Another view
Technology may alter resource constraints significantly.
More from Thomas Malthus
The germs of existence contained in this spot of earth, with ample food, and ample room to expand in, would fill millions of worlds in the course of a few thou…
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Permalink to quote #2
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