To a naive observer, money made out of precious metal was 'sound money' because the piece of precious metal was an 'intrinsically' valuable object, while paper money was 'bad money' because its value was only 'artificial'. But even the layman who holds this opinion accepts the money in the course of business transactions, not for the sake of its industrial use-value, but for the sake of its objective exchange-value, which depends largely upon its monetary employment. He values a gold coin not merely for the sake of its industrial use-value, say because of the possibility of using it as jewellery, but chiefly on account of its monetary utility. But, of course, to do something, and to render an account to oneself of what one does and why one does it, are quite different things.

To a naive observer, money made out of precious metal was 'sound money' because the piece of precious metal was an 'intrinsically' valuable object, while paper money was 'bad money' because its value was only 'artificial'. But even the layman who holds this opinion accepts the money in the course of business transactions, not for the sake of its industrial use-value, but for the sake of its objective exchange-value, which depends largely upon its monetary employment. He values a gold coin not merely for the sake of its industrial use-value, say because of the possibility of using it as jewellery, but chiefly on account of its monetary utility. But, of course, to do something, and to render an account to oneself of what one does and why one does it, are quite different things.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote
Similar Quotes by ludwig-von-mises

The market system is the basis of our civilization. Its only alternative is the Führer principle.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

The elimination of profit, whatever methods may be resorted to for its execution, must transform society into a senseless jumble.

Ludwig von Mises, Planning for Freedom, and Sixteen Other Essays and Addresses: Ludwig Von Mises. Also, the Essential Von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Society has arisen out of the works of peace the essence of society is peacemaking.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Modern society, based as it is on the division of labor, can be preserved only under conditions of lasting peace.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

The attainment of the economic aims of man presupposes peace.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Peace and not war is the father of all things.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Economically considered, war and revolution are always bad business.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote

Whoever wants peace among nations must seek to limit the state and its influence most strictly.

Ludwig von Mises
Save QuoteView Quote
Related Topics to ludwig-von-mises Quotes