Note 721 — Chapter I · : THE OPTIMISTS
R. (Robert) Richards translation
“Wealth consists of the right to command the services of nature, which are always free.” (Carey, Principles of Social Science, vol. i, chap. 13.)
“As man’s power over nature grows, his power over his fellow-men seems to dwindle and equality becomes possible.” (Ibid., vol. iii, p. 122.)
Compare, for example, the relative equality of comfort enjoyed by those who travel by rail irrespective of class distinctions (which are only to be found in some countries) with the former method of travelling by post-chaise.