What John Ruskin thinks about capitalism

@john-ruskin · 21 positions · On ppll ↗

English art critic and social thinker (1819 to 1900); author of Unto This Last.

John Ruskin did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only John Ruskin on capitalism. See everyone on capitalism

5 dated positions, c. 1860–1862, in their own words. Our reading of what John Ruskin has said — not written or endorsed by them.

1. c. 1860–1862

   Our readingThe interests of employer and worker may be alike or opposed, depending on circumstances

   Their wordsIt can never be shown generally either that the interests of master and labourer are alike, or that they are opposed; for, according to circumstances, they may be either.

   ↗Unto This Last (1860-1862)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

3. c. 1860–1862

   Our readingUnequal wealth harms a nation when unjustly gained and helps it when justly gained and nobly used

   Their wordsInequalities of wealth, unjustly established, have assuredly injured the nation in which they exist during their establishment; and, unjustly directed, injure it yet more during their existence. But inequalities of wealth justly established, benefit the nation in the course of their establishment; and, nobly used, aid it yet more by their existence.

   ↗Unto This Last (1860-1862)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

5. c. 1860–1862

   Our readingBuying in the cheapest market and selling in the dearest can never be a principle of national economy

   Their wordsSo far as I know, there is not in history record of anything so disgraceful to the human intellect as the modern idea that the commercial text, "Buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest," represents, or under any circumstances could represent, an available principle of national economy.

   ↗Unto This Last (1860-1862)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

7. c. 1860–1862

   Our readingJust wages should buy back at least as much labour as the worker gave

   Their wordsThe abstract idea, then, of just or due wages, as respects the labourer, is that they will consist in a sum of money which will at any time procure for him at least as much labour as he has given, rather more than less.

   ↗Unto This Last (1860-1862)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book

9. c. 1860–1862

   Our readingWhere only supply and demand rule, those who get rich are generally covetous, unimaginative and insensitive

   Their wordsI may, however, anticipate future conclusions so far as to state that in a community regulated only by laws of demand and supply, but protected from open violence, the persons who become rich are, generally speaking, industrious, resolute, proud, covetous, prompt, methodical, sensible, unimaginative, insensitive, and ignorant.

   ↗Unto This Last (1860-1862)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book