What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mainspring of Human Progress
For six thousand years men died of hunger. Why don't we? This is the basic question dealt with in Mainspring, but the attempt to find the answer leads into a wide range of subjects . . .
287 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 1953
43 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 28, 2014
This what Henry Grady Weaver had to say about the Decalogue:
The Ten Commandments
Finally, as a last resort, Moses reduced the teachings of Abraham to a written code of moral law. Known as the "Ten Commandments," it stands today as the first and greatest document of individual freedom in the recorded history of man. Each of the Ten Commandments is addressed to the individual as a self-controlling person responsible for his own thoughts, words, and acts. And each of them recognizes liberty and freedom as inherent in the nature of man.
The first commandment tells the individual to reject pagan gods and recognize his own worth as a human being, subject to no power but that of the Creator and Judge.
The second tells the individual to form no image of abstract rightness, but to direct his reverence toward the divine in truth.
The third tells the individual not to speak frivolously of the Creator and Judge. Knowledge of fundamental truth - cause and effect - is of first importance and should be taken very seriously.
The fourth tells the individual to devote some time (one day out of seven) to reflection on the eternal verities.
The fifth recognizes the family as the primary human relationship and establishes the parent's authority over the child as the only authority which a child should accept for his own profit.
The sixth stresses the sanctity of human life -the individual's right to live, which is a right that must not be violated by any other person.
The seventh establishes the principle of contract - the inviolability of promises given by persons to each other - and the double sanctity of the marriage contract, which is the basis of the family.
The eighth recognizes the individual's right to own property.
The ninth recognizes free speech - the individual's control over his own utterances and his responsibility for their truth.
The tenth emphasizes again the right of ownership.
Not even in thought should a person violate the property rights of another.
The Decalogue of Moses is one of the most amazing statements of truth ever written, but it was too revolutionary to find acceptance in the pagan world of his time; the ancient Israelites wanted a king rather than a code of personal conduct.
He also included a charming footnote about the origin of the first name of Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband, which was Almonzo:
*One of the returning Crusaders -an Englishman named Wilder, whose life had been chivalrously saved by an Arab foe -decreed that the name of his rescuer should be carried down through each succeeding generation of the Wilder family. Thus it is that Rose Wilder Lane's father bore the name Almanzo - the original was probably El Manzoor. I got this story, not from Mrs. Lane, but from one of the delightful children's books written by her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder; and I suspect that the daughter's deep interest in the Saracens stems from the family tradition.
The Ten Commandments
Finally, as a last resort, Moses reduced the teachings of Abraham to a written code of moral law. Known as the "Ten Commandments," it stands today as the first and greatest document of individual freedom in the recorded history of man. Each of the Ten Commandments is addressed to the individual as a self-controlling person responsible for his own thoughts, words, and acts. And each of them recognizes liberty and freedom as inherent in the nature of man.
The first commandment tells the individual to reject pagan gods and recognize his own worth as a human being, subject to no power but that of the Creator and Judge.
The second tells the individual to form no image of abstract rightness, but to direct his reverence toward the divine in truth.
The third tells the individual not to speak frivolously of the Creator and Judge. Knowledge of fundamental truth - cause and effect - is of first importance and should be taken very seriously.
The fourth tells the individual to devote some time (one day out of seven) to reflection on the eternal verities.
The fifth recognizes the family as the primary human relationship and establishes the parent's authority over the child as the only authority which a child should accept for his own profit.
The sixth stresses the sanctity of human life -the individual's right to live, which is a right that must not be violated by any other person.
The seventh establishes the principle of contract - the inviolability of promises given by persons to each other - and the double sanctity of the marriage contract, which is the basis of the family.
The eighth recognizes the individual's right to own property.
The ninth recognizes free speech - the individual's control over his own utterances and his responsibility for their truth.
The tenth emphasizes again the right of ownership.
Not even in thought should a person violate the property rights of another.
The Decalogue of Moses is one of the most amazing statements of truth ever written, but it was too revolutionary to find acceptance in the pagan world of his time; the ancient Israelites wanted a king rather than a code of personal conduct.
He also included a charming footnote about the origin of the first name of Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband, which was Almonzo:
*One of the returning Crusaders -an Englishman named Wilder, whose life had been chivalrously saved by an Arab foe -decreed that the name of his rescuer should be carried down through each succeeding generation of the Wilder family. Thus it is that Rose Wilder Lane's father bore the name Almanzo - the original was probably El Manzoor. I got this story, not from Mrs. Lane, but from one of the delightful children's books written by her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder; and I suspect that the daughter's deep interest in the Saracens stems from the family tradition.
March 10, 2021
2021-03-10 I read this about 40 years ago, give or take 5 years. After I read it, I liked it so much and I noticed a sale on this inexpensive edition, that I bought a big box of them (with 100 books in the box?). I have been giving away copies of the book over the years to folks who do not seem to have any sense of history about Islam, Freedom, Individual rights, etc. Or to folks who do appreciate freedom, but might still be interested in this aspect of it and the history and culture it deals with.
A few folks who I gave the book to read it and thanked me.... but not that many.
I still am happy I bought so many copies and have given away most.
I am writing this review today, since I just read a friend's review of a fictional account of a woman in Morocco during British colonial times. She (and the book seems to be) focused on the status of this/any woman/women in that time. Her review reminded me of this book and of the book it is a restatement/interpretation of: The Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane.
I highly recommend both Lane's book, and this one.
Not that they are without flaws - I certainly would not argue that.
But for the perspective, and for at least some of the true things that they get right about the civilized parts of Islamic history (and ideals???).
A few folks who I gave the book to read it and thanked me.... but not that many.
I still am happy I bought so many copies and have given away most.
I am writing this review today, since I just read a friend's review of a fictional account of a woman in Morocco during British colonial times. She (and the book seems to be) focused on the status of this/any woman/women in that time. Her review reminded me of this book and of the book it is a restatement/interpretation of: The Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane.
I highly recommend both Lane's book, and this one.
Not that they are without flaws - I certainly would not argue that.
But for the perspective, and for at least some of the true things that they get right about the civilized parts of Islamic history (and ideals???).
January 17, 2021
This book was sent to me by my grandmother after she learned I voted for Bernie Sanders and she really wanted me to read it. I decided to humor her and give it a shot, despite knowing I probably wasn't going to like it or agree with the message. Spoiler alert: I did not agree with much of anything in this book.
This basically reads like a white man's shower thoughts about Murica. There are a lot of half-explained ideas and arguments made with huge leaps in logic. I'm still not entirely sure how paganism = socialism, something about beehives???
Then we get into the longest part of the book, which is where Weaver attempts to back up his claims using history. Weaver is not a historian (apparently he worked for General Motors) and his version of history seems very questionable. I do not know much about world history, but it seemed to me that he cherry-picked the bits of history that he liked while ignoring the larger picture. This was only a 250 page book but about 100 pages of it were devoted to this oversimplified historical record, and I idd not enjoy one page of it.
I don't mean to say this book is entirely irredeemable trash with no valid ideas, because that isn't true. The last section actually surprised me by being insightful, well-reasoned ideas. Unfortunately this book is quite dated and I don't know how well those ideas hold up in the modern world, but there were still some interesting thoughts there. There was a particular passage that stuck out to me:
In light of the pandemic and everything that has recently occurred in American politics, I think these are extremely interesting questions to ask. I think the answers are probably nothing close to what Weaver envisioned and they certainly aren't what my grandmother hoped what I would take away from this book. Nonetheless, I found these questions and other ideas presented in the last section of the book to prompt deeper thought into what "progress" has meant for our country. Any book that gets me to think critically is worth something in my opinion, so I decided this book is worthy of two stars even though I hated the entire first 200 pages of it. My recommendation: read the beginning and the end, skip the middle, it has nothing worthwhile.
This basically reads like a white man's shower thoughts about Murica. There are a lot of half-explained ideas and arguments made with huge leaps in logic. I'm still not entirely sure how paganism = socialism, something about beehives???
Then we get into the longest part of the book, which is where Weaver attempts to back up his claims using history. Weaver is not a historian (apparently he worked for General Motors) and his version of history seems very questionable. I do not know much about world history, but it seemed to me that he cherry-picked the bits of history that he liked while ignoring the larger picture. This was only a 250 page book but about 100 pages of it were devoted to this oversimplified historical record, and I idd not enjoy one page of it.
I don't mean to say this book is entirely irredeemable trash with no valid ideas, because that isn't true. The last section actually surprised me by being insightful, well-reasoned ideas. Unfortunately this book is quite dated and I don't know how well those ideas hold up in the modern world, but there were still some interesting thoughts there. There was a particular passage that stuck out to me:
It is true that America is far from perfect; and being a self-critical and progressive people, we find it easy to visualize a much better world. But in admitting our shortcomings and laying our plans to overcome them, there are three questions which might well be asked:
1. To what degree are our shortcomings traceable to the form of political structure under which our country was founded?
2. To what degree are they due to our having drifted away from that concept?
3. How does our record compare with the records of countries which have tried to operate under the opposite philosophy?
In light of the pandemic and everything that has recently occurred in American politics, I think these are extremely interesting questions to ask. I think the answers are probably nothing close to what Weaver envisioned and they certainly aren't what my grandmother hoped what I would take away from this book. Nonetheless, I found these questions and other ideas presented in the last section of the book to prompt deeper thought into what "progress" has meant for our country. Any book that gets me to think critically is worth something in my opinion, so I decided this book is worthy of two stars even though I hated the entire first 200 pages of it. My recommendation: read the beginning and the end, skip the middle, it has nothing worthwhile.
May 21, 2010
An interesting but very superficial analysis of history. If it wasn't for the fact that I agreed with much of the author's thesis (the importance of freedom to human progress and prosperity) I would not have found it worthwhile. His characterization of the Saracens was candy-coated to the extreme, which then put the rest of his history into question. It has sat on my book shelf for over 25 years, so it was about time for me to read it.
There were a few gems--which I will note if I can get around to it--but as a "classic" it is over rated.
There were a few gems--which I will note if I can get around to it--but as a "classic" it is over rated.
September 28, 2015
I debated about how many stars to give this book. On the one hand, Weaver expresses some things brilliantly, pointing out how freedom is essential to human progress. Ask yourself: Why did the human condition remain largely unchanged for thousands of years, and suddenly make such amazing technological leaps after the creation of the United States of America?
On the other hand, he portrays medieval Islamic culture in a way that was a complete surprise to me. In his world, Islam was a peaceful, freedom-loving culture that led to great advancements during the time it occupied much of southern Europe and the middle east. Nowhere does he address the jihad that led to Islam's dominance in that age. Today's radical Islam certainly does not foster freedom. I need to do some more research.
Here are some things he said that I really liked:
"[M]ost of the major ills of the world have been caused by well-meaning people who ignored the principle of individual freedom, except as applied to themselves, and who were obsessed with fanatical zeal to improve the lot of mankind-in-the-mass through some pet formula of their own. 'It is as this point,' [says Isable Paterson] 'that the humanitarian sets up the guillotine.'"
"Human energy cannot be made to work efficiently except in an atmosphere of individual freedom and voluntary co-operation, based on enlightened self-interest and moral responsibility."
On the other hand, he portrays medieval Islamic culture in a way that was a complete surprise to me. In his world, Islam was a peaceful, freedom-loving culture that led to great advancements during the time it occupied much of southern Europe and the middle east. Nowhere does he address the jihad that led to Islam's dominance in that age. Today's radical Islam certainly does not foster freedom. I need to do some more research.
Here are some things he said that I really liked:
"[M]ost of the major ills of the world have been caused by well-meaning people who ignored the principle of individual freedom, except as applied to themselves, and who were obsessed with fanatical zeal to improve the lot of mankind-in-the-mass through some pet formula of their own. 'It is as this point,' [says Isable Paterson] 'that the humanitarian sets up the guillotine.'"
"Human energy cannot be made to work efficiently except in an atmosphere of individual freedom and voluntary co-operation, based on enlightened self-interest and moral responsibility."
September 8, 2009
So this is more like a text-book type book, but I am a passionate American/history/freedom/politics person so I loved it. Actually it's a really easy read that is set up to move at a fast pace. The basic idea of the whole book is to look at the history of the world and see how mankind progresses when they are free to use their creativity. There's some very interesting world history that one doesn't normally learn about that was intriguing. He looks into different social and political groups over time and then ends up with the great American revolution and how that came together to create a huge leap in progress for mankind (because of freedom). For 6,000 years man had been ploughing the same way but suddenly, in America, men were free and working on their own time and had more incentive to invent and did. All the new inventions led to a massive leap in our progress over relatively few years. blah, blah, blah (I know that's what you're thinking, but I am long-winded). Oh, it's a great companion for the 5,000 Year Leap, which is a must read if you need a refresher on the role of government according to our founding fathers.
April 10, 2009
This book is about FREEDOM -- and how freedom brings about greater human progress than anything else.
I knew about how freedoms were virtually non-existent during the "dark ages", yet did not know that while most of Europe were suffering during that time, there were many areas around the Mediterranean Sea where great cities of light, beauty, and knowledge abounded, thanks to followers of Mohammed a thousand years ago. Nor was I aware of their many great contributions to our current society (universities, medical practices, our Arabic Numeral system, etc.), until I read this book. It is sad to see today where the Muslims (more than one thousand years after Mohammed) -- just like where the Christians were a thousand years after Christ.
But if all could understand the great progress that comes from FREEDOM (which includes responsibility and accountability), just imagine what we could accomplish!
I knew about how freedoms were virtually non-existent during the "dark ages", yet did not know that while most of Europe were suffering during that time, there were many areas around the Mediterranean Sea where great cities of light, beauty, and knowledge abounded, thanks to followers of Mohammed a thousand years ago. Nor was I aware of their many great contributions to our current society (universities, medical practices, our Arabic Numeral system, etc.), until I read this book. It is sad to see today where the Muslims (more than one thousand years after Mohammed) -- just like where the Christians were a thousand years after Christ.
But if all could understand the great progress that comes from FREEDOM (which includes responsibility and accountability), just imagine what we could accomplish!
March 23, 2008
This is the best book I've found that lays out the principle's behind mankind's motivations, why past civilizations have risen or fallen by adhering to or denying these principles, and why we enjoy the freedoms and prosperity being in the U.S.
April 24, 2008
An inspiring and uplifting book! I bought this title for all my friends and family =) It's super easy to read, and provides this great insight: human beings do not consume resources, they create resources. A must read for any person who has thoughts about global history.
March 1, 2018
This is a book I read and reread every few years to remind me of the gift I have been given to have been educated on what if means to be free.
October 30, 2019
If it were possible, this should be required reading for every American and wanna be American citizen.
February 2, 2023
A fabulous read for those interested in getting a comprehensive view of how and why the United States has prospered beyond what anyone would have imagined at its outset. Mr. Weaver has presented a fascinating view of human attitude & progress through the many centuries of human existence up to the time of the publication in 1953. And, along with that, he cites thoughts he has regarding the internal threats to the future existence of the United States system; the system that has allowed the exceptional advancement of human invention and progress for the good of not only our country, but also, for the world at large. We would be wise to recognize and acknowledge the threats he presents as they are quite obviously continuing to advance at an increasing pace in our current culture. This book should be required reading for any study of the great American experiment which is the United States. Also, his extensive bibliography provides ample material, both pro and con, to check his ideas and assumptions.
February 10, 2018
This was a relatively short read that I thought was okay. The premise is that human freedom is what leads to prosperity. I basically agree with the sentiment, but the authors way of argument is essentially a whirlwind tour of world history, and how people trying to force arbitrary plans have ruined it for everyone else until the USA was founded. I think it suffers from some of the history seeming to be only "sorta true," if I remember my history right, and glossing over some negative details. It can also get pretty repetitive. It's just a long enough book that the repetition started to wear on me as well. It's basically pro-free market propaganda, but I don't think it's entirely wrong or misleading, just something to keep in mind and maybe take some of it with a grain of salt.
If I could give it 2.5 stars that's probably where I would rank it.
If I could give it 2.5 stars that's probably where I would rank it.
November 12, 2021
A Bit Dated But Good
After hearing Edward Griffin praise this book, I looked forward to.reading it. I had hoped it would show more direct correlations between human progress (in all areas) when government burden on the people was the least. It did some, but mostly it was more of a study on economic philosophy and some different perspectives on history. A pretty good read and I may just be a victim of my own high expectations. I'd give it a "B".
After hearing Edward Griffin praise this book, I looked forward to.reading it. I had hoped it would show more direct correlations between human progress (in all areas) when government burden on the people was the least. It did some, but mostly it was more of a study on economic philosophy and some different perspectives on history. A pretty good read and I may just be a victim of my own high expectations. I'd give it a "B".
November 22, 2023
MD and MK gave it 4 stars. CN and I gave it 5 stars. MD liked that it taught the importance of how we use our energy, but thought it was difficult to understand sometimes. MK thought it was good but long. CN thought the author was to the point and contained a lot of information in a fairly short book. He thought it was not a waste of time. I think that this should be mandatory reading in school. Even if you don’t agree with it the amount of information and history in it is amazing!
August 27, 2019
A little outdated, but the main premise that human freedom is the source of prosperity is timeless. I really enjoyed the description of America's political evolution, how our implementation of a Republic as a form of government coupled with a Bill of Rights (really a bill of prohibitions against onerous government control) is a remarkable, historical success.
May 14, 2019
I’m grateful my son read this in school and asked me to read it. It helps us realize how important our freedoms are in making great advances.. I hope that everyone will see the ills of socialism. How grateful I am that our government is a republic. ❤️
June 13, 2018
This book was better than I expected.
August 1, 2020
obviously a bit dated but great history about human freedom. heavy contrast of paganism and monotheism.
October 9, 2020
I don't care that most people will find it unconvincing. I appreciate it's unapologetic bluntness.
December 7, 2020
Written in 1953. Fascinating history. Freedom is the key to innovation and improving humanity
September 10, 2021
This was an interesting read that describes cause and effect and I learned that everyone does not want to have freedom.
March 19, 2007
Book Review: The Mainspring of Human Progress by Henry Grady Weaver
By William H. Peterson
“There can be no progress except through the more effective use of our individual energies.”
The emblazonment of this quotation on the front cover of the new edition of Henry Grady Weaver’s classic is timely. For the thought gets to the heart of the Austrian concept of methodological individualism, a counterpoint to the Keynesian macroeconomic approach that requires national planners in Washington to manage our economy. That approach ignores the role of creative, risk-taking individuals who are the mainspring of human progress. They are the subject of this welcome book.
Henry Grady Weaver hailed the concept of natural law and extolled the Founders’ political structure because it “unleashed the creative energies of millions of men and women by leaving them free to work out their own affairs—not under the lash of coercive authority, but through voluntary cooperation and moral responsibility.”
Weaver did his homework well in this historical examination of the ideas and people who built the American dream. This edition, with a two-page preface by FEE founder Leonard E. Read, features a new and most perceptive ten-page introduction by John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation and author of The Heroic Enterprise. Hood notes the ongoing assault on the American business system, from the American historians’ putdown of “robber barons” such as J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller, to more contemporary putdowns of such supposedly representative entrepreneur-villains as TV’s J.R. Ewing and Hollywood’s Gordon Gekko. Hood applauds Weaver for setting the record of the American business system straight.
That record would not have been possible, Weaver argues, without the basic legal framework of private-property rights and tightly constrained government. Nor would it have been possible without a moral framework of respect for the rights of others. Freedom cannot be separated from personal accountability. The Ten Commandments and the biblical injunctions against covetousness, and to “love thy neighbor as thyself” go far to explain the triumph of laissez-faire capitalism. As Weaver wrote: “Your natural freedom—your control over your own life-energy—was born in you along with life itself. It is a part of life itself. No one can give it to you, nor can you give it to someone else. Nor can you hold any other person responsible for your acts. Control simply can’t be separated from responsibility; control is responsibility.”
There is a whiff of Hayek’s spontaneous order idea here. Weaver came out strongly for “unplanned planning” as the secret of American economic success. Free men and women have the opportunity to live their lives, plan their own activity, work with one another, pursue their own happiness—all without any overriding forced authority of government. Unplanned planning worked.
But Weaver is writing about much more than just the United States. What makes this book so powerful is its historical sweep. Progress occurs whenever you have the ingredients previously mentioned. One of his most remarkable chapters is on the success of the Saracens, whose moral code and minimal government produced a prosperous and peaceful civilization while Europe suffered through the Dark Ages. Freedom has always and everywhere been the mainspring of human progress.
By William H. Peterson
“There can be no progress except through the more effective use of our individual energies.”
The emblazonment of this quotation on the front cover of the new edition of Henry Grady Weaver’s classic is timely. For the thought gets to the heart of the Austrian concept of methodological individualism, a counterpoint to the Keynesian macroeconomic approach that requires national planners in Washington to manage our economy. That approach ignores the role of creative, risk-taking individuals who are the mainspring of human progress. They are the subject of this welcome book.
Henry Grady Weaver hailed the concept of natural law and extolled the Founders’ political structure because it “unleashed the creative energies of millions of men and women by leaving them free to work out their own affairs—not under the lash of coercive authority, but through voluntary cooperation and moral responsibility.”
Weaver did his homework well in this historical examination of the ideas and people who built the American dream. This edition, with a two-page preface by FEE founder Leonard E. Read, features a new and most perceptive ten-page introduction by John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation and author of The Heroic Enterprise. Hood notes the ongoing assault on the American business system, from the American historians’ putdown of “robber barons” such as J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller, to more contemporary putdowns of such supposedly representative entrepreneur-villains as TV’s J.R. Ewing and Hollywood’s Gordon Gekko. Hood applauds Weaver for setting the record of the American business system straight.
That record would not have been possible, Weaver argues, without the basic legal framework of private-property rights and tightly constrained government. Nor would it have been possible without a moral framework of respect for the rights of others. Freedom cannot be separated from personal accountability. The Ten Commandments and the biblical injunctions against covetousness, and to “love thy neighbor as thyself” go far to explain the triumph of laissez-faire capitalism. As Weaver wrote: “Your natural freedom—your control over your own life-energy—was born in you along with life itself. It is a part of life itself. No one can give it to you, nor can you give it to someone else. Nor can you hold any other person responsible for your acts. Control simply can’t be separated from responsibility; control is responsibility.”
There is a whiff of Hayek’s spontaneous order idea here. Weaver came out strongly for “unplanned planning” as the secret of American economic success. Free men and women have the opportunity to live their lives, plan their own activity, work with one another, pursue their own happiness—all without any overriding forced authority of government. Unplanned planning worked.
But Weaver is writing about much more than just the United States. What makes this book so powerful is its historical sweep. Progress occurs whenever you have the ingredients previously mentioned. One of his most remarkable chapters is on the success of the Saracens, whose moral code and minimal government produced a prosperous and peaceful civilization while Europe suffered through the Dark Ages. Freedom has always and everywhere been the mainspring of human progress.
July 25, 2013
Interesting Quotes:
"Moses reduced the teachings of Abraham to a written code of moral law. Known as the 'Ten Commandments,' it stands today as the first and greatest document of individual freedom in the recorded history of man. Each of the Ten Commandments is addressed to the individual as a self-controlling person responsible for his own thoughts, words, and acts. And each of them recognizes liberty and freedom as inherent in the nature of man . . .
"The first commandment tells the individual to reject pagan gods and recognize his own worth as a human being, subject to no power but that of the Creator and Judge.
"The second tells the individual to form no image of abstract rightness, but to direct his reverence toward the divine in truth.
"The third tells the individual not to speak frivolously of the Creator and Judge. Knowledge of fundamental truth-cause and effect-is of first importance and should be taken very seriously.
"The fourth tells the individual to devote some time (one day out of seven) to reflection on the eternal verities."
"The fifth recognizes the family as the primary human relationship and establishes the parent's authority over the child as the only authority which a child should accept for his own profit.
"The sixth stresses the sanctity of human life-the individual's right to live, which is a right that must not be violated by any other person.
"The seventh establishes the principle of contract-the inviolability of promises given by persons to each other and the double sanctity of the marriage contract, which is the basis of the family.
"The eight recognizes the individual's right to own property.
"The ninth recognizes free speech-the individual's control over his own utterances and his responsibility for their truth.
"The tenth emphasizes again the right of ownership. Not even in though should a person violate the property rights of another."
-Henry Grady Weaver, the Mainspring of Human Progress
"[H]e was not a king, not a royal governor, not a rich man, not an important man. He was just one little man, unknown to anyone outside of his own neighborhood...But the unknown individual had the courage of his convictions...Not acting under orders, not being led nor wanting to be the leader, he stood on his own feet--a responsible, self-controlling person--and fired the shot heard 'round the world. The sound of that shot said that man is a free agent; that government is the servant rather than the master."
-Henry Grady Weaver, the Mainspring of Human Progress
"Moses reduced the teachings of Abraham to a written code of moral law. Known as the 'Ten Commandments,' it stands today as the first and greatest document of individual freedom in the recorded history of man. Each of the Ten Commandments is addressed to the individual as a self-controlling person responsible for his own thoughts, words, and acts. And each of them recognizes liberty and freedom as inherent in the nature of man . . .
"The first commandment tells the individual to reject pagan gods and recognize his own worth as a human being, subject to no power but that of the Creator and Judge.
"The second tells the individual to form no image of abstract rightness, but to direct his reverence toward the divine in truth.
"The third tells the individual not to speak frivolously of the Creator and Judge. Knowledge of fundamental truth-cause and effect-is of first importance and should be taken very seriously.
"The fourth tells the individual to devote some time (one day out of seven) to reflection on the eternal verities."
"The fifth recognizes the family as the primary human relationship and establishes the parent's authority over the child as the only authority which a child should accept for his own profit.
"The sixth stresses the sanctity of human life-the individual's right to live, which is a right that must not be violated by any other person.
"The seventh establishes the principle of contract-the inviolability of promises given by persons to each other and the double sanctity of the marriage contract, which is the basis of the family.
"The eight recognizes the individual's right to own property.
"The ninth recognizes free speech-the individual's control over his own utterances and his responsibility for their truth.
"The tenth emphasizes again the right of ownership. Not even in though should a person violate the property rights of another."
-Henry Grady Weaver, the Mainspring of Human Progress
"[H]e was not a king, not a royal governor, not a rich man, not an important man. He was just one little man, unknown to anyone outside of his own neighborhood...But the unknown individual had the courage of his convictions...Not acting under orders, not being led nor wanting to be the leader, he stood on his own feet--a responsible, self-controlling person--and fired the shot heard 'round the world. The sound of that shot said that man is a free agent; that government is the servant rather than the master."
-Henry Grady Weaver, the Mainspring of Human Progress
February 11, 2016
For most of the history of mankind, says Weaver, we have labored under the delusion that our interests are best served by an elite, and this view has severely suppressed human development.
Most people of the past, and many today, he says, believe that everything is outside their control. He calls this the “pagan” view, where every aspect has its god that controls it.
This is what Thomas Sowell would call the vision of the anointed, who blame the failures of their programs on the ill-intentions of those who disagree with their theories.
His histories are deliberately simplified, to modernize the people in them. Mohammed becomes a retired businessman. They are also extraordinarily condensed. The Articles of Confederation are mentioned only by effect, not name. And his anecdotes are fascinating, but I was unable to verify or disprove any of them simply by searching the Internet.
His innovation is the recognition that socialism is just another form of the age-old pagan view that our rulers are a divine elite, whose superior knowledge entitles them to rule over the poor, even to the point of managing their output and time. And that this form of government is likely to produce the same results as of old: far slower innovation because people who do not value time do not search for ways to save time.
And that progressivism as it exists today is pretty much the same thing writ lower case: a government elite knows better how to pick winners and losers than the consumer. Ultimately, government is the biggest bureaucracy, and bureaucrats do not enjoy change. They prefer a static world where tomorrow is what they were familiar with yesterday. And that is a world of poverty, pestilence, and war.
Only an individual human being can control the energy he generates.
It is only when people are free that they begin to look for labor-saving methods.
It is only when men are free that they begin to place a value on their time; and when men begin to place a value on human time, they begin to realize the importance of preserving human life.
The lack of understanding of these simple, basic truths has, for over 6,000 years, stagnated human progress and kept the vast majority of people underfed, poorly clothed, embroiled in wars, and dying from famine and pestilence.
Most people of the past, and many today, he says, believe that everything is outside their control. He calls this the “pagan” view, where every aspect has its god that controls it.
One of the oldest, if not the oldest, forms of pagan worship is based on the idea that human destiny is controlled by the over-all will-of-the-tribe, rather than by the initiative and free will of the individual persons who make up the tribe.
This is what Thomas Sowell would call the vision of the anointed, who blame the failures of their programs on the ill-intentions of those who disagree with their theories.
His histories are deliberately simplified, to modernize the people in them. Mohammed becomes a retired businessman. They are also extraordinarily condensed. The Articles of Confederation are mentioned only by effect, not name. And his anecdotes are fascinating, but I was unable to verify or disprove any of them simply by searching the Internet.
His innovation is the recognition that socialism is just another form of the age-old pagan view that our rulers are a divine elite, whose superior knowledge entitles them to rule over the poor, even to the point of managing their output and time. And that this form of government is likely to produce the same results as of old: far slower innovation because people who do not value time do not search for ways to save time.
And that progressivism as it exists today is pretty much the same thing writ lower case: a government elite knows better how to pick winners and losers than the consumer. Ultimately, government is the biggest bureaucracy, and bureaucrats do not enjoy change. They prefer a static world where tomorrow is what they were familiar with yesterday. And that is a world of poverty, pestilence, and war.
February 27, 2008
This book is full of true principles that make the book worth the read - if it is the only political book you'll ever read. It also has a lot of roughly-truisms, hasty generalizations, and annoying informal language. If you are going to read Wealth of Nations, Human Action, and Common Sense - don't bother with this one. Weaver is written for the barely-educated, but willing to learn crowd.
October 27, 2014
This book totally surprised me. I had absolutely no expectation for it, figuring it'd be some sort of history, retell the facts, textbook like book. But not only did it startle me with a voice of its own, but it was actually rather intriguing, pulling me right in. There is a lot of wisdom in this book, and I've learned things that will help me in my present life and definitely in my future life.
Read
November 3, 2008We read this in the eighth grade. What I remember most is the quote - all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely - being said by Mr. Jones in his booming voice. I am including this on my children's shelf because it's funny to me that we read such a serious book back then!
October 5, 2009
A marvelous picture of why America progressed economically. Even though this book was written in the 1940's and therefore not current, I did learn from the author's overview of economics historically. This is not an academic read, but a profound one nonetheless.
January 10, 2010
Very informative, but argumentative theory on what has made America the strongest nation. Written for the layman of history, it lays out an overview of the history of the concepts that America was founded on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews