投资 · 西方古典
托马斯·马尔萨斯:人口论·摘录 58
托马斯·马尔萨斯《人口论》· An Essay on the Principle of Population · 投资
I feel no doubt whatever that the parish laws of England have contributed to raise the price of provisions and to lower the real price of labour. They have therefore contributed to impoverish that class of people whose only possession is their labour. It is also difficult to suppose that they have not powerfully contributed to generate that carelessness and want of frugality observable among the poor, so contrary to the disposition frequently to be remarked among petty tradesmen and small farmers. The labouring poor, to use a vulgar expression, seem always to live from hand to mouth. Their present wants employ their whole attention, and they seldom think of the future. Even when they have an opportunity of saving they seldom exercise it, but all that is beyond their present necessities goes, generally speaking, to the ale-house. The poor laws of England may therefore be said to diminish both the power and the will to save among the common people, and thus to weaken one of the strongest incentives to sobriety and industry, and consequently to happiness.
出处:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4239
定位:Excerpt 58 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录
白话
我毫不怀疑英国济贫法推高了食物价格,压低了劳动的实际价格,从而使那些除了劳动一无所有的人更加贫困。也很难否认,它们有力地助长了穷人身上可见的粗心和不节俭,这与小商贩和小农场主常见的性情截然相反。用粗话说,劳动穷人似乎总是吃了上顿没下顿,眼前的匮乏占据全部注意力,很少想到未来。即使有机会储蓄,他们也很少利用,超出眼前必需的钱一般花在酒馆里。因此可以说,英国济贫法既削弱了普通人储蓄的能力,也削弱了储蓄的意愿,从而削弱了节制和勤劳的最强动力之一,最终削弱了幸福。
上下文
马尔萨斯批评英国济贫法削弱穷人储蓄动力,助长短视消费。
今日一问
我是否因为知道有兜底保障,而减少了为未来储蓄和克制的努力?
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