Those who attack interest, as distinct from other kinds of
money-reward, admit that the possession of wealth is necessary
as a stimulus to production.

But the possession of wealth is desired mainly for its social
results far more than for its purely individual results.

Interest as connected with the sustentation of a certain mode of
social life.

Further consideration of the manner in which those who attack
interest ignore the element of time, and contemplate the present
moment only.

The economic functions of a class which is not, at a given
moment, economically productive.

Systematic failure of those who attack interest to consider
society as a whole, continually emerging from the past, and
dependent for its various energies on the prospects of the
future.

Consequent futility of the general attack on interest, though
interest in certain cases may be justly subjected to special but
not exaggerated burdens.


CHAPTER XV