William Petty
William Petty
Sir William Petty FRSwas an English economist, scientist and philosopher. He first became prominent serving Oliver Cromwell and Commonwealth in Ireland. He developed efficient methods to survey the land that was to be confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers. He also managed to remain prominent under King Charles II and King James II, as did many others who had served Cromwell...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionEconomist
Date of Birth27 May 1623
since state
I make this question, whether, since they do all live by begging... it were not better for the state to keep them.
cause certain convenient force money paying taxes
Another cause which aggravates taxes is the force of paying them in money at a certain tinge, and not in commodities at the most convenient seasons.
according advance father lands mother number people powerful princes states womb wonder
Now, forasmuch as princes are not only powerful but rich, according to a number of people (hands being the Father as lands are the Mother or Womb of Wealth), it is no wonder why states by encouraging marriage, advance their own interests.
apt case cities creep depend dwelling follow great greatest hence london men naturally others palaces remove
If great cities are naturally apt to remove their seats, I ask, which way? I say, in the case of London it must be westward... If it follow from hence that the palaces of the greatest men will remove westward, it will also naturally follow that the dwelling of others who depend upon them will creep after them.
finance commerce
Money is the best rule of commerce.
change loss may
Raising of money may indeed change the species, but with so much loss as the foreign pieces were raised unto, above their intrinsick value.
soul acres thousand
A thousand acres that can feed a thousand souls is better than ten thousand acres of no more effect.
years three hay
It were good to know how much hay an acre of every sort will bear; how many cattle the same weight of each sort of hay will feed and fatten; what quantity of grain and other commodities the same acre will bear in one, three or seven years; unto what use each soil is proper; all which particulars I call intrinsic value, for there is also another value merely accidental or extrinsic.
buying selling interest
The trade of banks is the buying and selling of interest and exchange.
soldier merchants seamen
Every seaman is not only a navigator, but a merchant and also a soldier.