Economist Walter Williams died on Wednesday after teaching his final class at George Mason University on Tuesday. Mr. Williams, 84, was “born in poverty raised by a single mother in the projects of North Philadelphia, a college drop-out, he overcame all types of adversity to become a nationally renowned professor, economist and columnist,” according to The Heritage Foundation.
BRIGHT editors offer two of Mr. Williams’ better-known quotes:
I believe that reaching into your own pockets to help someone in need is praiseworthy and laudable. Reaching into somebody else’s pockets to help your fellow man in need is despicable.
Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.
From Donald. Boudreaux, professor of economics at George Mason University.
The author of 13 books, dozens of academic papers and countless popular essays, Walter was a scholar’s scholar. He was one of America’s most courageous defenders of free markets, constitutionally limited government and individual responsibility. I will miss him as a friend. The world will miss him as a tireless champion of American values.
