When profit diminishes, merchants are very apt to complain that trade decays; though the diminution of profit is the natural effect of its prosperity, or of a greater stock being employed in it than before.

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.

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

In the long-run the workman may be as necessary to his master as his master is to him, but the necessity is not so immediate.

Problems worthy of attacks, prove their worth by hitting back

The annual produce of the land and labour of any nation can be increased in its value by no other means, but by increasing either the number of its productive labourers, or the productive powers of those labourers who had before been employed.

Mercantile jealousy is excited, and both inflames, and is itself inflamed, by the violence of national animosity.