This is one of those cases in which the imagination is baffled by the facts.

Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.

The rate of profit... is naturally low in rich and high in poor countries, and it is always highest in the countries which are going fastest to ruin.

Goods can serve many other purposes besides purchasing money, but money can serve no other purpose besides purchasing goods.

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

Thus the labour of a manufacture adds, generally, to the value of the materials which he works upon, that of his own maintenance, and of his masters profits. The labour of a menial servant, on the contrary, adds to the value of nothing.

Never complain of that of which it is at all times in your power to rid yourself.