From The Quotable Mises — surrounding passage

What restrains him is only the inevitable natural phenomenon of scarcity. Human Action , p. 280; p. 283

“With all the regard due to the sublime self-effacement of saints, we cannot help stating the fact that the world would be in a rather desolate condition if it were peopled exclusively by men not interested in the pursuit of material well-being.”

Planning for Freedom , p. 146 Under such a socialist mode of production all personal incentives which selfishness provides under capitalism are removed, and a premium is put upon laziness and negligence. Whereas in a capitalist society selfishness incites everyone to the utmost diligence, in a socialist society it makes for inertia and laxity. Human Action , p. 674; p. 677 Only those on the government’s payroll are rated as unselfish and noble. Human Action , No Entry; p.