Every system which endeavours, either, by extraordinary encouragements, to draw towards a particular species of industry a greater share of the capital of the society than what would naturally go to it; or, by extraordinary restraints, to force from a particular species of industry some share of the capital which would otherwise be employed in it; is in reality subversive of the great purpose which it means to promote... Every man, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free to pursue his own interest his own way, and to bring both his industry and capital into competition with those of any other man, or order of men... The proper performance of those several duties of the sovereign necessarily supposes a certain expence; and this expence again necessarily requires a certain revenue to support it.
(The Wealth of Nations - Book IV, 1776)

Adam Smith

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Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.

Adam Smith (The Theory of Moral Sentiments, 1759)

The landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed.

Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations - Book I, 1776)

No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.

Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations, 1776)

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