Economic Sophisms

...a number of ailments, or cure himself of them. Hunger, thirst, disease, heat, and cold are all obstacles scattered along his path. In a state of isolation, he must overcome them all through hunting, fishing, farming original: "tillage", spinning, weaving, and building. It is clear that it would be better for him if these obstacles were less numerous and daunting original: "formidable"—or, better still, if they did not exist at all. In society, he does not fight these obstacles personally; instead, others do it for him. In return, he spends his time removing one of the obstacles encountered by his fellow men.

It is also clear, looking at things as a whole, that it would be better for men collectively—or for society—if these obstacles were as few and weak as possible.

But when we closely examine social phenomena and how people's feelings are changed by the introduction of trade original: "exchange", we soon see how they have come to confuse original: "confound" needs original: "wants" with wealth, and the obstacle with the cause.

The separation of jobs and the division of labor original: "labour"—which result from the ability to trade—mean that each person, instead of struggling on their own to overcome every obstacle surrounding them, fights only one of them. He overcomes that one obstacle not for himself, but for his fellow men, who in turn provide him the same service.

The result is that this man, in fighting the specific obstacle it is his job to overcome for others, sees that obstacle as the direct source of his own wealth. The greater, more daunting, and more painfully felt this obstacle is, the higher the payment original: "remuneration" his fellow men will be willing to give him. That is to say, they will be more ready to remove the obstacles that stand in his way.

For example, the physician does not bake his own bread, make his own tools original: "instruments", or weave his own clothes. Others do these things for him, and in return, he treats the diseases that afflict his patients. The more numerous, severe, and frequent these diseases are, the more other people agree—and are forced—to do for his personal comfort. From this point of view, disease—a general obstacle to human happiness—becomes a source of material prosperity for the individual physician. The same argument applies...