The quotations of

Adam Smith

Scottish moral philosopher and political economist

1723–1790

27 quotes, most often on Economics, Government and Work.

In 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.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter VIII, p. 80.In context
- Economics
- Work
Nobody ever saw a dog make a fair and deliberate exchange of one bone for another with another dog.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 14.In context
- Animals
- Economics
A merchant, it has been said very properly, is not necessarily the citizen of any particular country.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book III, Chapter IV, p. 456.In context
- Business
By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter II, p. 488-489.In context
- Economics
People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter X, Part II, p. 152.In context
- Business
- Economics
Nothing but the most exemplary morals can give dignity to a man of small fortune.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chapter I, Part III, Article III, p. 874.
- Money
- Morality
I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter IIIn context
- Business
- Economics
The greatest improvements 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.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter IIn context
- Economics
- Work
We rarely hear, it has been said, of the combinations of masters, though frequently of those of workmen. But whoever imagines, upon this account, that masters rarely combine, is as ignorant of the world as of the subject.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter VIIIIn context
- Business
- Work
No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, clothe, and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labour as to be themselves tolerably well fed, clothed, and lodged.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter VIIIIn context
It 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, either by sumptuary laws, or by prohibiting the importation of foreign luxuries.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book II, Chapter IIIIn context
- Government
- Money
To found a great empire for the sole purpose of raising up a people of customers, may at first sight, appear a project fit only for a nation of shopkeepers.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter VII (4 of 5)In context
- Business
- Government

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