"The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man"
- Thomas Malthus
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Malthus is an alerting about the potential consequences of unchecked population growth. He is recommending that the power of population growth is much greater than the power of the earth to produce adequate food to sustain the population. This suggests that if the population continues to grow without any checks, it will eventually outstrip the earth's capability to supply sufficient food for everyone. This might cause famine, poverty, and other social issues. Malthus was among the very first to recognize the possible threats of uncontrolled population growth, and his caution still applies today. As the world's population continues to grow, it is essential to think about the prospective effects of this development and take steps to ensure that the earth can continue to supply adequate food for everybody.