William Easterly Quotes

“Remember, aid cannot achieve the end of poverty. Only homegrown development base on the dynamism of individuals and firms in free markets can do that.”

“I am happy that I can aid those admirable men, both living and dead, who by their pens or their tongues have aided the great cause of human liberty and universal happiness.”

“The resources of Africa are greater than the amount of aid it can ever get. Hence, Africa needs to manage its resources prudently and efficiently to minimise its dependence on aid.”

“[Internationa] Aid is just another praetorian business enterprise.”

“Abraham Lincoln was asked by an aide about the church service he had attended. Lincoln responded that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent and the topic relevant. The aide said, “Then it was a good service?”Lincoln responded, “No.” The aide protested,“But, Mr. President, you said that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent, and that the topic was relevant.”“Yes,” replied Lincoln, “but he didn’t challenge us to do any great thing.”

“And we went through AIDS... which was as good a course in mortality as anyone is likely to get, short of war.”

“Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it.”

“In aid, the proper attitude is one omitting gratitude.”

“International aid as a means of development is a major failure, and not just in Haiti.”

“We've killed a million Iraqis since the start of the Gulf war - mostly by blocking humanitarian aid.”