From the ownership of women the concept of ownership extends itself to include the products of their industry, and so there arises the ownership of t… - Thorstein Veblen

The means whereby this work of Nature is brought to its consummate issue are forces of Nature working under her Laws by the method of cause and effect. The principle, or "law," of causation is a metaphysical postulate; in the sense that such a fact as causation is unproved and unprovable. No man has ever observed a case of causation, as is a commonplace with the latterday psychologists.

In order to stand well in the eyes of the community, it is necessary to come up to a certain, somewhat indefinite, conventional standard of wealth.

Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.