投资 · 西方古典
托马斯·马尔萨斯:人口论·摘录 82
托马斯·马尔萨斯《人口论》· An Essay on the Principle of Population · 投资
Famine seems to be the last, the most dreadful resource of nature. The power of population is so superior to the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction; and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague, advance in terrific array, and sweep off their thousands and ten thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world.
出处:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4239
定位:Excerpt 82 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录
白话
马尔萨斯把饥荒称为自然最后、最可怕的手段。人口增长力远超土地产出力,所以 premature death 必以某种形式降临人类。人的恶行是减少人口的活跃工具,常先完成毁灭工作;若不够,疾病、流行病、瘟疫会成队扫走成千上万;若仍不够,巨大的、不可避免的饥荒殿后,一举使人口与食物持平。核心是:人口压力最终靠死亡(恶行、疾病、饥荒)来平衡,这是残酷的自然机制。
上下文
马尔萨斯《人口论》最著名段落,描述人口与食物失衡的终极调节方式。
今日一问
面对人口与资源的长期失衡,社会应主动预防,还是被动等待灾难调节?
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