~ Adam Smith Quotes ~

[MysteRy]

By pursuing his own interest (the individual) frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.

[MysteRy]

Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace easy taxes and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.

[MysteRy]

How 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.

[MysteRy]

That the innocent though they may have some connexion or dependency upon the guilty (which perhaps they themselves cannot help) should not upon that account suffer or be punished for the guilty is one of the plainest and most obvious rules of justice.

[MysteRy]

A gardener who cultivates his own garden with his own hands united in his own person the three different characters of landlord farmer and labourer. His produce therefore should pay him the rent of the first the profit of the second and the wages of the third.

[MysteRy]

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher the brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love and never talk to them of our own neccessities but of their advantages.

[MysteRy]

Such is the delicacy of man alone that no object is produced to his liking. He finds that in everything there is need for improvement. The whole industry of human life is employed not in procuring the supply of our three humble necessities food clothes and lodging but in procuring the conveniences of it according to the nicety and delicacy of our tastes.

[MysteRy]

The statesman who would attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals would not only load himeslf with a most unnecessary attention but assume an authority which could safely be trusted to no council and senate whatever and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.