JK Galbraith's best lines

Reading in the news today of the passing of JK Galbraith, one of the 20th century's most famous economists, and I know little about him, so of course I head to Wikipedia. I discovered these quotes and I had to share them with ya:

• "Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite."
• "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable."

Is it just me, or in this photo does JK look like Ian McKellen's twin?

Comments

[Aaron Heath]

same dam good quotes there!

[Pascal Venier]

Great quotes from a Great Man!

Besides the more serious side of his works, Galbraith also published a couple of novels. I remember very well reading his satirical novel A Tenured Professor: A Novel (1990), soon after it was published and very strongly recommend it.

[Gnoll110]

Picked up the biography of arguably the most influence of the C20 economists last week. John Maynard Keynes, who passed away, 50 years ago in the same month (21st April).

So I'll see your two quotes...

Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone.

...and...

Lenin is said to have declared that the best way to destroy the capitalist system was to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens...Lenin was certainly right.

...and raise you one! ;)

In the long run, we're all dead.

[Gnoll110]

ummmm, typo

'50 years ago' should have read '60 years ago', as in 21 April 1946.

While I'm here, I'll add a quote with the same sentiment as the 'astrology' quote. ;)

If economists could manage to get themselves thought of as humble, competent people on a level with dentists, that would be splendid.

[Mark]

I had the good fortune to meet and draw a caricature of John Kennith Galbraith and his wife at a private function about 6 years ago in Cambridge, MA. He was very quiet but pleasant, and his wife was incredibly lovely and gracious with me. I had no idea who they were until I was half-way through my drawing. Some guy whispered to me--"Do you have any idea who you're drawing right now?" He told me and I felt like a dope because I'd been telling "John" to "hold still" so I could capture his likeness! Anyhow, when people ask me if I've ever drawn anyone famous, JK is about the most...

[Cameron Reilly]

mark, are you going to show us? did you keep a copy?

[Mark]

Nope, sorry Cam, when I'm hired to draw at parties, I just make the caricature and give them away and never see them again. It's weird---I've got an entire body of caricature work--thousands of people drawn---spread all over the world. My caricature of Galbraith is probably hanging in his family room next to pics of him and JFK.

Or not. ;)