Fable of the Bees

Mandeville in his satirical poem 'Fable of the Bees' sums up the attitude of Keynes towards employment, growth and economic policy. The poem came out in the late 17th/early 18th century when any suggestion of violating the Christian virtues of temperance and frugality was frowned upon. Thus, he was not the most popular guy around and did not get any invites to the King's parties. However, he was right. People hate the truth, especially if it is something unsavory about them.

A tiny extract:

The Root of evil, Avarice,
That damn'd ill-natur'd baneful Vice,
Was Slave to Prodigality,
That Noble Sin; whilst Luxury
Employ'd a Million of the Poor,
And odious Pride a Million more."
Envy it self, and Vanity
Were Ministers of Industry

Translating, the pride and ego of those with money motivates them to construct pyramids, churches, yachts and university research labs, hence providing jobs for a good many people. Private vice to the public benefit. If they were to keep those pieces of paper in a safe deposit box, people would starve, and they would end up with a good many pieces of paper, which aren't known to be edible.

Search for Bernard Mandeville / Fable of the Bees on the internet. Very enlightening.