Meaning: The quote "Capital is money, capital is commodities. By virtue of it being value, it has acquired the occult ability to add value to itself. It brings forth living offspring, or, at the least, lays golden eggs" by Karl Marx encapsulates a key concept in Marxist economic theory. In this quote, Marx is referring to the nature of capital as a mechanism for the self-expansion of value. To fully understand the meaning of this quote, it is essential to unpack Marx's thoughts on capital, value, and the dynamics of capitalism.

At the heart of Marx's analysis is the idea that capital, in the form of money and commodities, is not just a static entity but a dynamic force that has the ability to increase its own value. In capitalist societies, money is used to invest in commodities (such as raw materials, machinery, and labor power) in order to produce new commodities that can be sold for a profit. This process of investment, production, and sale is what Marx refers to as the self-expansion of value.

When Marx talks about the "occult ability" of capital to add value to itself, he is highlighting the mysterious and seemingly magical nature of this process. From a Marxist perspective, this ability stems from the specific social relations and power structures inherent in capitalist economies. The capitalist mode of production, characterized by private ownership of the means of production and the extraction of surplus value from labor, enables capital to grow and accumulate through the exploitation of workers.

The metaphor of capital bringing forth "living offspring" or laying "golden eggs" further emphasizes the self-generating and self-sustaining nature of capital. In a capitalist system, the pursuit of profit drives the continuous expansion of capital, leading to the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the capitalist class. This process, according to Marx, perpetuates inequality and exploitation, as the wealth generated by capital tends to concentrate in the hands of a few at the expense of the laboring masses.

Marx's critique of capital goes beyond a mere description of how it operates; it also serves as a critique of the social and economic relations that underpin capitalist societies. The self-expansion of capital, while generating wealth for a small minority, also leads to alienation, inequality, and the commodification of human labor. For Marx, the inherent drive of capital to maximize profit results in the relentless pursuit of growth and accumulation, often at the expense of human well-being and environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, Karl Marx's quote about capital as a value-adding, self-expanding force encapsulates his critical analysis of capitalist economies. By highlighting the occult ability of capital to generate wealth and perpetuate its own expansion, Marx invites us to interrogate the underlying dynamics of capitalism and the social relations it engenders. This quote serves as a reminder of the enduring relevance of Marx's critique of capital and the imperative to critically examine the workings of contemporary economic systems.