“Nobody but a beggar chuses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Words that still shape our understanding of trade.”

— Adam Smith

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“Nobody but a beggar chuses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Words that still shape our understanding of trade.”

(June 16 , 1723 -- July 17 , 1790)
Origin: Scottish
Known for: Economist
Meaning
This highly analytical statement from Adam Smith serves as a powerful reminder that taking a rational, unsentimental approach yields the most enduring societal results. Those managing large teams or attempting to resolve resource conflicts gain a profound advantage by adopting this strategic baseline of mutual benefit. It becomes incredibly relevant during periods of societal shifts, where establishing rational standard parameters dictates long-term economic stability. This directly mirrors his historic efforts to balance raw capitalism with the ethical considerations found in *The Theory of Moral Sentiments*.
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Adam Smith

Adam Smith was a Scottish economist. Pioneer of modern economics. Their insights on success, discipline and long-term thinking are frequently shared by entrepreneurs and professionals.

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This quote is attributed to Adam Smith. Adam Smith was a Scottish economist. Pioneer of modern economics. Their insights on success, discipline and long-term thinking are frequently shared by entrepreneurs and professionals.

This highly analytical statement from Adam Smith serves as a powerful reminder that taking a rational, unsentimental approach yields the most enduring societal results. Those managing large teams or attempting to resolve resource conflicts gain a profound advantage by adopting this strategic baseline of mutual benefit. It becomes incredibly relevant during periods of societal shifts, where establishing rational standard parameters…

The wording and attribution are documented at en.wikiquote.org. Use the original source linked on this page to verify the exact phrasing and context.

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