23 The Cause of Suffering

Bastiat cites a number of accusations against industrialism and capitalism, by those who blame these practices as the source of every evil in society. This seems entirely irrational.

Suffering is caused by want, and industry and trade are the means by which wants are satisfied. A farm does not produce hunger, a textile mill does not make people naked, and a bank does not make people poor - but each provides a solution to the problem it is accused of causing.

Nature is the source of suffering, and idleness is its assistance. Men are born possessing nothing - naked, hungry, and in agony - and that is what he is given at birth. But in his life, he gains the means to defend against these afflictions, if he is willing to learn and apply himself he can put quite some distance between himself and poverty.

But doing so requires effort, and the evidence is clear that industry and trade are among the most efficient ways for a man to apply himself to the tasks necessary to satisfy his needs. Were this not so, people would flee the factories, mines, and farms rather than being attracted to them - and return to their natural state. But their natural state is quite wretched.

(EN: Here, he takes off on another rant against those whose imaginary societies seem a bit naive. They declare that hunger will be abolished, but do not disclose the manner in which food will be produced. AS such, all they have to offer is empty promises. It persists, thus, for the remainder of the chapter.)