Note 715 — Chapter I · : THE OPTIMISTS
R. (Robert) Richards translation
“And I also declare that you have not intercepted any of the gifts of God. It is true that you received them free out of nature’s hand. But it is equally true that you have handed them on freely, reserving nothing for yourself. Fear not, but live in peace and freedom from every qualm.” (Harmonies, chap. 8, p. 257.)
“Coal is free for everyone. There is neither paradox nor exaggeration in that. It is as free as the water of the brook, if we only take the trouble to get it, or pay others for getting it for us.” (Ibid., chap. 10.) Bastiat would not regard the shareholders’ dividends as payments for the trouble which the shareholders have taken in getting the coal. The dividends simply pay for the trouble taken to save the money which made the exploitation possible.
Say spoke of free natural agents. What he meant to refer to was such natural commodities as air and water, which are at the disposal of everyone.