Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.
Thomas MalthusRead
The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the imbalance between population growth and the Earth's ability to provide resources.
Thomas Malthus's quote suggests that human population growth will always outpace the production of food and resources needed for survival. This idea speaks to the limits of the Earth's capacity to sustain humanity and presents a warning about the potential consequences of unchecked population growth, including famine and societal conflict over scarce resources.
Themes
PopulationResourcesSubsistenceMalthusGrowthFamineSustainability
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about sustainability during a climate change conference.
More from Thomas Malthus
All quotes βThe prodigious waste of human life occasioned by this perpetual struggle for room and food, was more than supplied by the mighty power of population, acting, in some degree, unshackled, from the constant habit of emigration.
Thomas MalthusRead
The rich, by unfair combinations, contribute frequently to prolong a season of distress among the poor.
Thomas MalthusRead
In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.
Thomas MalthusRead
I think it will be found that experience, _x000D_ the true source and foundation of all knowledge, _x000D_ invariably confirms its truth.
Thomas MalthusRead
Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio. Subsistence increases only in an arithmetical ratio. A slight acquaintance with numbers will shew the immensity of the first power in comparison of the second.
Thomas MalthusRead
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