Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Arthur Young Quote “Give a man secure possession of a bleak rock and he will turn it into a garden; give him nine years lease of a garden and he will turn it into a desert.” ~ Arthur Young (1741-1820) English writer on agriculture, economics, social statistics, and activist for agricultural workers' rights Travels of 1787 Self-Determination , Servitude Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/4/14 The mind set of an owner is far different than all others. There is a certain diminishing return - the greater concept of ownership, the greater the productivity. When the government owns the land and leases it (via property tax, constant knowledge of title challenge for any number of reasons, told what to grow, etc.) production and productivity diminishes. 2 Reply jim k, austin tx 6/4/14 I am secretary of a 60 unit condo home owners association. Most of the problems are caused by off premises owners renting their units. Owners on the property keep up their condos far better than renters who cause most of the problems. 1 Reply cal, lewisville, tx 6/4/14 I have seen nice homes turn into disasters by those who rent them. They could really care less about the yard and surroundings. Reply E Archer, NYC 6/4/14 I like it! Another reason communism fails. Ownership of property and the responsibility of stewardship that comes with it is the foundation of Liberty. The property owners have always had to organize themselves to defend against the masses which would vote it all away if they could -- and then defile it in the process. The power of taking responsibility for one's own challenges in life is an amazing thing -- that shift from being at the effect of the world to taking responsibility for the condition and quality of one's life is what it mean to be a sovereign citizen.In travelling the world, often through very poor countries, I can attest to the quote in that even with just a little dirt that one can can call his own, a family can live nobly. The sense of pride is self-evident and quite inspiring. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Arthur Young quote is found in these categories: Self-Determination quotes Servitude quotes About Arthur Young Bio of Arthur Young Quotations by Arthur Young Books by/about Arthur Young Arthur Young videos Arthur Young on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Arthur Young