---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The liberal reward of labour, therefore…"
description: "\"The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the affect of increasing wealth, so it is the cause of increasing population. To complain of it, is t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ea/adam-smith-1040_causes_the-liberal-reward-of-labour-therefore-a_117790.jpg"
---

#  The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the…

![“The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the affect of increasing wealth, so it is the cause of increasing population. To complain of it, is to lament over the necessary effect and cause of the greatest public prosperity.” quote by Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ea/adam-smith-1040_causes_the-liberal-reward-of-labour-therefore-a_117790.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ea/adam-smith-1040_causes_the-liberal-reward-of-labour-therefore-a_117790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ea/adam-smith-1040_causes_the-liberal-reward-of-labour-therefore-a_117790.jpg)

> “The liberal reward of labour, therefore, as it is the affect of increasing wealth, so it is the cause of increasing population. To complain of it, is to lament over the necessary effect and cause of the greatest public prosperity.”

[Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Smith argues that labor's reward fuels wealth, which in turn expands population; complaining about this growth ignores its role in overall prosperity.

**In simple terms:** Labor drives wealth, which drives population growth; both are essential.

Key Takeaway

Economic growth and demographic expansion are linked.

Themes

economics population wealth labor

Mood

analytical reflective

Type

philosophical economic

When to use this quote

- government debates on welfare
- business leaders assessing labor costs
- urban planners forecasting population trends

Key Concepts

Malthusian theory public policy

Practical Applications

- design policies that balance labor incentives with sustainable growth
- educate on the interdependence of work and prosperity

Questions to Reflect On

- Can prosperity be sustainable without addressing resource constraints?
- How does income inequality affect the link between labor and population?

A Different Perspective

The view overlooks environmental limits and inequality that can accompany unchecked growth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Lament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lament/) [Prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperity/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/)

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