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Nothing but the most exemplary morals can give dignity to a man of small fortune.

— Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776)

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More quotes by Adam Smith

A merchant, it has been said very properly, is not necessarily the citizen of any particular country.

The Wealth of Nations (1776)

No fixed capital can yield any revenue but by means of a circulating capital.

The Wealth of Nations (1776)

In the long-run the workman may be as necessary to his master as his master is to him, but the necessity is not so immediate.

The Wealth of Nations (1776)

Hatred and anger are the greatest poison to the happiness of a good mind.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759)

It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759)

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In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.

Louis Pasteur

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.

William Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1601)

O Fortune, cruellest of heavenly powers,
Why make such game of this poor life of ours?

Horace Satires (-35)

Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

Edward Gibbon The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Adam Smith (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.