Thomas Malthus Quotes

A great emigration necessarily implies unhappiness of some kind or other in the country that is deserted.

Thomas Malthus



A writer may tell me that he thinks man will ultimately become an ostrich. I cannot properly contradict him.

Thomas Malthus



Each pursues his own theory, little solicitous to correct or improve it by an attention to what is advanced by his opponents.

Thomas Malthus



I do not know that any writer has supposed that on this earth man will ultimately be able to live without food.

Thomas Malthus



I think it will be found that experience, the true source and foundation of all knowledge, invariably confirms its truth.

Thomas Malthus



In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.

Thomas Malthus



It is an acknowledged truth in philosophy that a just theory will always be confirmed by experiment.

Thomas Malthus



No limits whatever are placed to the productions of the earth; they may increase forever.

Thomas Malthus



Population, when unchecked, goes on doubling itself every 25 years or increases in a geometrical ratio.

Thomas Malthus



Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.

Thomas Malthus



The constant effort towards population, which is found even in the most vicious societies, increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased.

Thomas Malthus



The friend of the present order of things condemns all political speculations in the gross.

Thomas Malthus



The great and unlooked for discoveries that have taken place of late years have all concurred to lead many men into the opinion that we were touching on a period big with the most important changes.

Thomas Malthus



The histories of mankind are histories only of the higher classes.

Thomas Malthus