It is unjust that the whole of society should contribute towards an expence of which the benefit is confined to a part of the society.

In every part of the universe we observe means adjusted with the nicest artifice to the ends which they are intended to produce; and in the mechanism of a plant, or animal body, admire how every thing is contrived for advancing the two great purposes of nature, the support of the individual, and the propagation of the species.

Though the principles of the banking trade may appear somewhat abstruse, the practice is capable of being reduced to strict rules. To depart upon any occasion from those rules, is consequence of some flattering speculation of extraordinary gain, is almost always extremely dangerous, and frequently fatal to the banking company which attempts it.

When the profits of trade happen to be greater than ordinary, over-trading becomes a general error both among great and small dealers.

I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.

A merchant, it has been said very properly, is not necessarily the citizen of any particular country.

To subject every private family to the odious visits and examination of the tax-gatherers ... would be altogether inconsistent with liberty.