Summers's outlook on economic policy can be summarized by the remark that he gave me some years ago: If I had your views on economics, I would find another profession. He meant that if free markets usually worked well and the government ought usually to stay out, then he would find economics to be an uninteresting occupation. Fortunately for Summers, he has always believed in the potential benefits from governmental activism, although the strength of this belief may have diminished over time.

Nothing Is Sacred (2002) - Ch. 1 : Thoughts on Friends and Other Noteworthy Persons