Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read. This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter. - Reading time of the complete text: about 5 hours - Reading time of the summarized text: 19 minutes This book is an essay written by Thomas Malthus titled "An Essay on the Principle of Population." Malthus argues that continued population growth leads to poverty. He wrote this essay in response to the optimism of his father and others who believed in the future improvement of society. Malthus explains that population growth expands in times of plenty until there is a shortage of resources, causing distress. He also discusses the impact of epidemics, famines, and wars on population growth. Malthus suggests that government welfare and privately supported benevolence should work together to alleviate poverty. He believes that the threat of poverty motivates hard work and virtuous behavior. Malthus also touches on the theory of mind and the relationship between population growth and the availability of resources. Despite criticism, Malthus's ideas continue to influence discussions on population growth and resource limitations.