The Works of Thomas De Quincey, Volume 10Hurd and Houghton, 1877 |
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Common terms and phrases
Adam Smith affirmative value amongst answer arise barouche become called capital cause cent century Ceylon chapter circumstances column common consequence constitution cost difference distinction doctrine effect England English equally exchange value exist express fact force French French Revolution gold ground guineas human hundred idea increase inference instance interest Kandy king land law of value less logic Major Davie Malthus means measure of value ment mode natural natural price necessity negative never object original party Phæd Phædrus Phil Philebus Phod Political Economy population possible pounds price of wheat principle producing labor quantity of labor quarters question rate of profit reader reason Reformers relation rent Revolution Ricardo rise Scotland sense shillings simply soil suppose Taprobane teleologic tendency things tion true truth value in exchange wages and profits wheat Whig and Tory Whiggism whilst whole word
Popular passages
Page 14 - Indeed, it is evident to common sense, that any article whatever, to obtain that artificial sort of value which is meant by exchange value, must begin by offering itself as a means to some desirable purpose; and secondly, that even though possessing incontestably this preliminary advantage, it will never ascend to an exchange value in cases where it can be obtained gratuitously, and without effort, — of which last terms both are necessary as limitations. For often it will happen that some desirable...
Page 93 - IN making labour the foundation of the value of commodities, and the comparative quantity of labour which is necessary to their production, the rule which determines the respective quantities of goods which shall be given in exchange for each other, we must not be supposed to deny the accidental and temporary deviations of the actual or market price of commodities from this, their primary and natural price.
Page 115 - IT remains however to be considered, whether the appropriation of land, and the consequent creation of rent, will occasion any variation in the relative value of commodities, independently of the quantity of labour necessary to production.
Page 422 - A few strong instincts and a few plain rules Among the herdsmen of the Alps, have wrought More for mankind at this unhappy day Than all the pride of intellect and thought...
Page 118 - ... properly drained and manured, and advantageously divided by hedges, fences and walls, while the other had none of these advantages, more remuneration would naturally be paid...
Page 409 - Nilotic isle, and more to west, The realm of Bocchus to the Blackmoor sea ; From the Asian kings and Parthian among these, From India, and the golden Chersonese, And utmost Indian isle, Taprobane...
Page 150 - In one brief formula," says Mr. De Quincey, "_ it might be said of Profits, that they are the leavings of Wages ; so much will the Profit be upon any act of production, whether agricultural or manufacturing, as the Wages upon that act permit to be left behind.
Page 235 - If any one commodity could be found, which now and at all times required precisely the same quantity of labour to produce it, that commodity would be of an unvarying value, and would be eminently useful as a standard by which the variations of other things might be measured. Of such a commodity we have no knowledge, and consequently are unable to fix on any standard of value.
Page xii - That science, 1* which now holds "acquaintance with the stars" by means of its inevitable and imperishable truth, would become as treacherous as Shakespeare's " stairs of sand": or, like the fantastic architecture which the winds are everlastingly pursuing in the Arabian desert, would exhibit phantom arrays of fleeting columns and fluctuating edifices, which, under the very breath that had created them, would be for ever collapsing into dust. Such, even to this moment, as regards its practical applications,...
Page 230 - Without further knowledge on the subject, we should be quite at a loss to say whether the laborers in the country mentioned were starving or living in great plenty ; whether the king in question might be considered as having a very inadequate revenue, or whether the sum mentioned was so great as to be incredible...