A monopoly granted either to an individual or to a trading company has the same effect as a secret in trade or manufactures. The monopolists, by keeping the market constantly understocked, by never fully supplying the effectual demand, sell their commodities much above the natural price, and raise their emoluments, whether they consist in wages or profit, greatly above their natural rate.

Great ambition, the desire of real superiority, of leading and directing, seems to be altogether peculiar to man, and speech is the great instrument of ambition.

The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals would not only load himself with most unnecessary attention but assume an authority which could safely be trusted to no council and senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of man who have folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.

Humanity is the virtue of a woman, generosity that of a man.

Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely; or to be that thing which is the natural and proper object of love.

The propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals.

On the road from the City of Skepticism, I had to pass through the Valley of Ambiguity.