Scottish - Economist | June 5, 1723 - July 17, 1790
Man is an animal that makes bargains: no other animal does this - no dog exchanges bones with another.
Adam Smith
DogManAnimalBonesOtherMakes
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.
CountryActiveOperationsBanking
As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce.
LoveMenCountryBecomeLandNever
Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of things, than any whining Christian ever dyed with pretended resignation to the will of God.
GoodGodHumorChristianFastPoor
The propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals.
MenFinanceTruckAnimalsRace
No complaint... is more common than that of a scarcity of money.
MoneyMoreScarcityCommonThan
Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience.
VirtueMoreConscienceViceBecause
I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
GoodDoneNeverTradeWhoMuch
Resentment seems to have been given us by nature for a defense, and for a defense only! It is the safeguard of justice and the security of innocence.
NatureJusticeInnocenceSecurityUs
The theory that can absorb the greatest number of facts, and persist in doing so, generation after generation, through all changes of opinion and detail, is the one that must rule all observation.
DetailOpinionFactsGenerationRule
With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches.
PeopleRichParadeRich PeopleChief
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.
JusticePeaceRestEasyTaxesCarry
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