Quote of the day–Adam Smith

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.

Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations
[I just finished listening to Free to Choose and just started Freedomnomics. Both, and rightly so, reference Smith’s book and the quote above.–Joe]

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2 thoughts on “Quote of the day–Adam Smith

  1. Am I simply blinded by my faith? Why is it that this is such truth to my eyes yet so many people fight against this simple concept?

    I live my life knowing that everyone else is simply looking out for themselves and act accordingly. It works for the best. I get items I want at less than I value my money, the other guy gets more money than he values his items. We both are enriched.

    As long as nobody puts a gun to my head to force me to purchase their wares, what does it matter to others if I want to purchase items or services that they deem unnecessary or harmful to em?

    I can’t understand that at all.

  2. For those who harbor a deep hatred of humanity and so view the human race as a disease on the face of the Earth, allowing you and others to act in self-interest works against their self-interest. That you exist in the first place is an insult. That you should be free to act on your own without direction from your betters adds injury to the insult. That you should be successful at what you’re doing in your self-interest, and enjoy it, and that others should also enjoy it and be inspired by it, without the haters having any hand in it whatsoever, is like twisting the white-hot knife that already eats at their guts.

    There you have it. Now you understand.

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