The Wealth of Nations Quotes

And yet it may be true, perhaps, that the accommodation of an European prince does not always so much exceed that of an industrious and frugal peasant, as the accommodation of the latter exceeds th...

Labour is so well rewarded that a numerous family of children, instead of being a burthen is a source of opulence and prosperity to the parents. (1.8.23)

The number of those who can go to war, in proportion to the whole number of the people, is necessarily much smaller in a civilized, than in a rude state of society. (5.1.11)

Such teachers, though very well paid by their students, might be as much disposed to neglect them, as those who are not paid by them at all, or who have no other recompence but their salary. (5.1.71)

The exclusive privilege of an incorporated trade necessarily restrains the competition, in the town where it is established, to those who are free of the trade. (1.10.60)

Such sacrifices, though they might frequently be agreeable to the interest, are always mortifying to the pride of every nation. (4.7.45)

A collier working by the piece is supposed, at Newcastle, to earn commonly about double, and in many parts of Scotland about three times the wages of common labour. (1.10.18)

Among the savage nations of hunters and fishers, every individual who is able to work, is more or less employed in useful labour. (I.4)