Quote

The sneaking arts of underling tradesmen are thus erected into political maxims for the conduct of a great empire for it is the most underling tradesmen only who make it a rule to employ chiefly their own customers. A great trader purchases his good always where they are cheapest and best, without regard to any little interest of this kind.

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
Best
Customers
Traders
Little
Thus
Chiefly
Without
Rule
Employ
Tradesmen
Great
Regard
Maxims
Purchases
Kind
Interest
Empire
Trader
Make
Art
Empires
Sneaking
Good
Political
Conduct
Cheapest
Always
Littles
Arts
Erected

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Beneficence is always free, it cannot be extorted by force.
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I am a beau in nothing but my books.
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Wherever there is great property there is great inequality. For one very rich man there must be at least five hundred poor, and the affluence of the few supposes the indigence of the many. The affluence of the rich excites the indignation of the poor, who are often both driven by want, and prompted by envy, to invade his possessions.
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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.
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To subject every private family to the odious visits and examination of the tax-gatherers ... would be altogether inconsistent with liberty.
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Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.
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The man scarce lives who is not more credulous than he ought to be... The natural disposition is always to believe. It is acquired wisdom and experience only that teach incredulity, and they very seldom teach it enough.
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An instructed and intelligent people are always more decent and orderly than an ignorant and stupid one.
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