We Still Hold These Truths

Foreword By William J. Bennett

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Adam Smith - [An individual] generally

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Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations

Categories: Other Quotes from We Still Hold These Truths

Date: 1776

[An individual] generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry, he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, 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 no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually that when he really intends to promote it.

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