“A great stock, though with small profits, generally increases faster than a small stock with great profits. Money, says the proverb, makes… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches, which in their eye… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
There is no art which government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
The problem with fiat money is that it rewards the minority that can handle money, but fools the generation that has worked… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Labor was the first price, the original purchase - money that was paid for all things. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Every man is rich or poor according to the degree in which he can afford to enjoy the necessaries, conveniences, and amusements… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Wherever there is great property there is great inequality. For one very rich man there must be at least five hundred poor,… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Labour was the first price, the original purchase - money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
The subjects of every state ought to contribute toward the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Goods can serve many other purposes besides purchasing money, but money can serve no other purpose besides purchasing goods. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
“The common complaint, that luxury extends itself even to the lowest ranks of the people, and that the labouring poor will not… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
It would be too ridiculous to go about seriously to prove that wealth does not consist in money, or in gold and… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
“How many people ruin themselves by laying out money on trinkets of frivolous utility? What pleases these lovers of toys is not… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
It is not for its own sake that men desire money, but for the sake of what they can purchase with it. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
In public, as well as in private expences, great wealth may, perhaps, frequently be admitted as an apology for great folly. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
In regards to the price of commodities, the rise of wages operates as simple interest does, the rise of profit operates like… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Ask any rich man of common prudence to which of the two sorts of people he has lent the greater part of… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
“The effects of the division of labour, in the general business of society, will be more easily understood by considering in what manner it… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
“The profligacy of a man of fashion is looked upon with much less contempt and aversion, than that of a man of meaner condition.” — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Great ambition, the desire of real superiority, of leading and directing, seems to be altogether peculiar to man, and speech is the great instrument… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the affect of increasing wealth, so it is the cause of increasing population. To complain… — Adam Smith Copy Share Image
What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience? — Adam Smith Copy Share Image