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It is not by augmenting the capital of the country, but by rendering a greater part of that capital active and productive than would otherwise be so, that the most judicious operations of banking can increase the industry of the country.

Adam Smith

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Adam Smith
Age: 67 †
Born: 1723
Born: June 16
Died: 1790
Died: July 17
Economist
Non-Fiction Writer
Philosopher
University Teacher
Writer
Lang Toun
Greater
Operations
Part
Capital
Country
Productive
Would
Otherwise
Active
Augmenting
Increase
Judicious
Industry
Rendering
Economy
Banking

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The difference between the most dissimilar characters, between a philosopher and a common street porter, for example, seems to arise not so much from nature, as from habit, custom, and education.
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Nothing but the most exemplary morals can give dignity to a man of small fortune.
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Corn is a necessary, silver is only a superfluity.
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Men, like animals, naturally multiply in proportion to the means of their subsistence.
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Happiness never lays its finger on its pulse.
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The rate of profit... is naturally low in rich and high in poor countries, and it is always highest in the countries which are going fastest to ruin.
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With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches.
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The education of the common people requires, perhaps, in a civilized and commercial society, the attention of the public more than that of people of some rank and fortune.
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I have no faith in political arithmetic.
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