The violence and injustice of the rulers of mankind is an ancient evil, for which, I am afraid, the nature of human affairs can scarce admit a remedy.

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 a joint stock company should be able to carry on successfully any branch of foreign trade, when private adventurers can come into any sort of open and fair competition with them, seems contrary to all experience.

Upstart greatness is everywhere less respected than ancient greatness.

But avarice and ambition in the rich, in the poor the hatred of labour and the love of present ease and enjoyment, are the passions which prompt to invade property, passions much more steady in their operation, and much more universal in their influence. Wherever there is great property there is great inequality. For one very rich man there must be at least five hundred poor, and the affluence of the few supposes the indigence of the many.

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.

I am a beau in nothing but my books.