The quotations of

Adam Smith

Scottish moral philosopher and political economist

1723–1790

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

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.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book I, Chapter II, p. 19.In context
- Economics
The statesman who should attempt to direct people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or 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.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter IIIn context
- Economics
- Government
Consumption 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.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book IV, Chapter VIII, p. 719.In context
- Economics
The uniform, constant and uninterrupted effort of every man to better his condition, the principle from which public and national, as well as private opulence is originally derived, is frequently powerful enough to maintain the natural progress of things toward improvement, in spite both of the extravagance of government, and of the greatest errors of administration. Like the unknown principle of animal life, it frequently restores health and vigour to the constitution, in spite, not only of the disease, but of the absurd prescriptions of the doctor.
The Wealth of NationsIn context
- Economics
Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defence of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.
The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chapter I, Part II, 775.In context
- Economics
- Government
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
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
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
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

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