John Buchanan Robinson Quotes
In brief, egoism in its modern interpretation, is the antithesis, not of altruism, but of idealism.
There is no word more generally misinterpreted than the word egoism, in its modern sense.
The business of a bank is to lend money; which amounts, nowadays, to lending credit.
But the egoist has no ideals, for the knowledge that his ideals are only his ideals, frees him from their domination. He acts for his own interest, not for the interest of ideals.
Large sums were paid for the use of money, because the available amount of gold and silver was far less than was needed to carry on the commercial transactions of the times.
Accordingly, when the supply of gold runs short, the security behind the notes is diminished, the loaning of notes is restricted or suspended, and the panic follows.
At present, financial crises occur, chiefly because the paper currency is redeemable in gold only.
The Massachusetts Land Bank, during Colonial times, prospered, and brought prosperity to the community, until it was forcibly suppressed by special act of Parliament.
The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.
According to your sympathy, you will take pleasure in your own happiness or in the happiness of other people; but it is always your own happiness you seek.
However near and dear to you may be your wife, children, friends, they are not you; they are outside of you.
In precisely the same way money is often hired, and the hire paid for the use of it is called Interest.
Not an old woman that buys a paper of pins, without yielding a part of the price to the banks as interest!
It is often said by reformers that government should be conducted upon business principles.
