“No paint or dye can give so splendid a colour as gilding. The merit of their beauty is greatly enhanced by their scarcity. With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches, which in their eye is never so complete as when they appear to possess those decisive marks of opulence which nobody can possess but themselves. In their eyes the merit of an object which is in any degree either useful or beautiful is greatly enhanced by its scarcity, or by the great labour which it requires to collect any considerable quantity of it, a labour which nobody can afford to pay but themselves.Book I, Chapter 11 - Rent of Land, part II”
Adam Smith“What is prudence in the conduct of every private family can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom.”
Adam Smith“I have learned that I always feel happier and healthier when I offer genuine love to other people.”
Seth Adam Smith, Your Life Isn't for You: A Selfish Person's Guide to Being Selfless“When we're constantly thinking about ourselves, our world shrinks.”
Seth Adam Smith, Your Life Isn't for You: A Selfish Person's Guide to Being Selfless“We can achieve the fullest measure of life by living it for others.”
Seth Adam Smith, Your Life Isn't for You: A Selfish Person's Guide to Being Selfless“Abundance in life is achieved only when we tear down walls and fill our lives with light.”
Seth Adam Smith, Your Life Isn't for You: A Selfish Person's Guide to Being Selfless“I have seen the light in the wilderness and I must follow it.”
Seth Adam Smith, Rip Van Winkle and the Pumpkin Lantern“No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.”
Adam Smith“As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce.”
Adam Smith“Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.”
Adam Smith