"It's wrong to profit from the misfortune of others." I ask… - Walter E. Williams

"It's wrong to profit from the misfortune of others." I ask my students whether they'd support a law against doing so. But I caution them with some examples. An orthopedist profits from your misfortune of having broken your leg skiing. When there's news of a pending ice storm, I doubt whether it saddens the hearts of those in the collision repair business. I also tell my students that I profit from their misfortune — their ignorance of economic theory.

Walter E. Williams

Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from

English

Collect this quote

About Walter E. Williams

Walter Edward Williams (born 31 March 1936 - December 2, 2020) is an American economist, commentator, and academic. He is the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University, as well as a syndicated columnist and author known for his classical liberal and libertarian conservative views. His writings frequently appear on Townhall.com, WND, and Jewish World Review.

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Walter Williams • Walter Edward Williams

All quotes from Walter E. Williams Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Walter E. Williams:

Milton Friedman Ludwig von Mises Thomas Sowell Leonard Read Murray N. Rothbard

Additional quotes by Walter E. Williams

The 2000 election of George W. Bush as president gave Republicans what the Democrats have now, total control of the legislative and executive branches of government. When Bush came to office, federal spending was $1.788 trillion. When he left office, federal spending was $2.982 trillion.

It’s government people, not rich people, who have the power to coerce and make our lives miserable. Coercive power goes a long way toward explaining political corruption.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson once said, “There is nothing more painful for me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery—then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved.

"It's wrong to profit from the misfortune of others." I ask my students whether they'd support a law against doing so. But I caution them with some e… - Walter E. Williams

About Walter E. Williams

Also Known As

Works in ChatGPT, Claude, or Any AI

Additional quotes by Walter E. Williams

Works in ChatGPT, Claude, or Any AI