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Adam Smith Quotes - Page 6

Nobody ever saw a dog make a fair and deliberate exchange of one bone for another with another dog.

Nobody ever saw a dog make a fair and deliberate exchange of one bone for another with another dog.

Adam Smith, Laurence Dickey (1993). “Wealth of Nations (Abridged)”, p.11, Hackett Publishing

I have no great faith in political arithmetic, and I mean not to warrant the exactness of either of these computations.

Adam Smith (2007). “The Wealth of Nations: An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations: With an introduction by Jonathan B. Wight, University of Richmond”, p.474, Harriman House Limited

In this consists the difference between the character of a miser and that of a person of exact economy and assiduity. The one is anxious about small matters for their own sake; the other attends to them only in consequence of the scheme of life which he has laid down to himself.

Adam Smith (1853). “The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or, An Essay Towards an Analysis of the Principles by which Men Naturally Judge Concerning the Conduct and Character, First of Their Neighbours, and Afterwards of Themselves. To which is Added, a Dissertation on the Origin of Languages”, p.246

The difference between the most dissimilar characters, between a philosopher and a common street porter, for example, seems to arise not so much from nature, as from habit, custom, and education.

Adam Smith (1843). “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations With a Life of the Author: Also a View of the Doctrine of Smith, Compared with that of the French Economists, with a Method of Facilitating the Study of His Works, from the French of M. Jariner”, p.7

Ask any rich man of common prudence to which of the two sorts of people he has lent the greater part of his stock, to those who, he thinks, will employ it profitably, or to those who will spend it idly, and he will laugh at you for proposing the question.

Adam Smith (1843). “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations With a Life of the Author: Also a View of the Doctrine of Smith, Compared with that of the French Economists, with a Method of Facilitating the Study of His Works, from the French of M. Jariner”, p.144

It is the natural effect of improvement, however, to diminish gradually the real price of almost all manufactures.

Adam Smith (2016). “The Wealth of Nations: the Great Master”, p.283, VM eBooks

Men, like animals, naturally multiply in proportion to the means of their subsistence.

Adam Smith, Dugald Stewart (1843). “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”, p.5

The tolls for the maintenance of a high road, cannot with any safety be made the property of private persons.

Adam Smith (2010). “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”, p.477, Cosimo, Inc.

By nature a philosopher is not in genius and disposition half so different from a street porter, as a mastiff is from a greyhound

Adam Smith (1784). “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations”, p.24