A noticeable increase in wages presupposes a rapid growth of productive
capital. The rapid growth of productive capital brings about an equally rapid
growth of wealth, luxury, social wants, social enjoyments. Thus, although the
enjoyments of the worker have risen, the social satisfaction that they give has
fallen in comparison with the increased enjoyments of the capitalist, which are
inaccessible to the worker, in comparison with the state of development
of society in general. Our desires and pleasures spring from society; we
measure them, therefore, by society and not by the objects which serve for their
satisfaction. Because they are of a social nature, they are of a relative nature.