Every individual necessarily labors to render the annual revenue of society as great as he can. He generally neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. He intends only his own gain, and he is, in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was not part of his intention.

The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities.

It may indeed be doubted whether butchers' meet is anywhere a necessary of life. Grain and other vegetables, with the help of milk, cheese, and butter, or oil where butter is not to be had, afford the most plentiful, the most wholesome, the most nourishing, and the most invigorating diet. Decency nowhere requires that any man should eat butchers' meat.

Individual Ambition Serves the Common Good.

Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.

Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production.

Men desire to have some share in the management of public affairs chiefly on account of the importance which it gives them.