Adam Smith quotes

" Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition. " # Science and Scientists # Enthusiasm # Age and Aging

" On the road from the City of Skepticism, I had to pass through the Valley of Ambiguity. (Powers of Mind, 1975) " # Skepticism # Cities and City Life # Age and Aging

" But man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only. He will be more likely to prevail if he can interest their self-love in his favour, and shew them that it is for their own advantage to do for him what he requires of them. Whoever offers to another a bargain of any kind, proposes to do this. Give me that which I want, and you shall have this which you want, is the meaning of every such offer; and it is in this manner that we obtain from one another the far greater part of those good offices which we stand in need of. 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 interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages. " # Self-interest # Love # Friends and Friendship

" No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. " # Happiness

" Happiness never lays its finger on its pulse. " # Analysis # Freedom # Power

" As every individual, therefore, endeavours as much as he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry, and so to direct that industry that its produce may be of the greatest value; every individual necessarily labours to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can. He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry, he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he 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. It is an affectation, indeed, not very common among merchants, and very few words need be employed in dissuading them from it. " # Business # Friends and Friendship # Happiness

" 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. It is, however, a project altogether unfit for a nation of shopkeepers, but extremely fit for a nation that is governed by shopkeepers. " # Empire # Government # America

" Man, an animal that makes bargains. " # Agreement # Freedom # Power

" What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? " # Happiness # Freedom # Power

" 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. " # Hatred # Innocence # Justice