Upstart greatness is everywhere less respected than ancient greatness.

By pursuing his own interest (the individual) frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.

The importation of gold and silver is not the principal, much less the sole benefit which a nation derives from its foreign trade.

On the road from the City of Skepticism, I had to pass through the Valley of Ambiguity.

Great nations are never impoverished by private, though they sometimes are by public prodigality and misconduct.

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

Every tax ought to be so contrived as both to take out and to keep out of the pockets of the people as little as possible, over and above what it brings into the public treasury of the State.