I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
ADAM SMITHI have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
ADAM SMITHIt is the highest impertinence and presumption, therefore, in kings and ministers to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expense. They are themselves, always, and without any exception, the greatest spendthrifts in the society.
ADAM SMITHThe greatest improvement in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is anywhere directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour.
ADAM SMITHAn instructed and intelligent people are always more decent and orderly than an ignorant and stupid one.
ADAM SMITHWherever there is great property, there is great inequality.
ADAM SMITHIt is not for its own sake that men desire money, but for the sake of what they can purchase with it.
ADAM SMITHLabor was the first price, the original purchase – money that was paid for all things.
ADAM SMITHIn the long-run the workman may be as necessary to his master as his master is to him, but the necessity is not so immediate.
ADAM SMITHIn a militia, the character of the laborer, artificer, or tradesman, predominates over that of the soldier: in a standing army, that of the soldier predominates over every other character.
ADAM SMITHHow selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.
ADAM SMITHConsumption is the sole end and purpose of all production.
ADAM SMITHThe violence and injustice of the rulers of mankind is an ancient evil, for which, I am afraid, the nature of human affairs can scarce admit a remedy.
ADAM SMITHWhatever work he does, beyond what is sufficient to purchase his own maintenance, can be squeezed out of him by violence only, and not by any interest of his own.
ADAM SMITHConsumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer.
ADAM SMITHIt appears, accordingly, from the experience of all ages and nations, I believe, that the work done by freemen comes cheaper in the end than that performed by slaves.
ADAM SMITHThe first thing you have to know is yourself. A man who knows himself can step outside himself and watch his own reactions like an observer.
ADAM SMITH