John A. Hobson Quote

History does not show greed of gain as the motive of the great steps in industrial progress. The love of science, the pure delight of mechanical invention, the attainment of some slight personal convenience in labour, and mere chance, play the largest part in the history of industrial improvements. These motives would be as equally operative under state-control as under private enterprise.

The Evolution of Modern Capitalism: A Study of Machine Production (1906) - Ch. XVII Civilisation and Industrial Development