The man whose whole life is spent in performing a few simple operations, of which the effects are perhaps always the same, or very nearly the same, has no occasion to exert his understanding or to exercise his invention in finding out expedients for removing difficulties which never occur. He naturally loses, therefore, the habit of such exertion, and generally becomes as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human creature to become.

He is led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention

The problem with fiat money is that it rewards the minority that can handle money, but fools the generation that has worked and saved money.

That wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue; and that the contempt, of which vice and folly are the only proper objects, is most often unjustly bestowed upon poverty and weakness, has been the complaint of moralists in all ages.

It appears, accordingly, from the experience of all ages and nations, I believe, that the work done by freemen comes cheaper in the end than that performed by slaves.

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

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