Resentment seems to have been given us by nature for a defense, and for a defense only! It is the safeguard of justice and the security of innocence.
Adam SmithRead
The cheapness of wine seems to be a cause, not of drunkenness, but of sobriety. ...People are seldom guilty of excess in what is their daily fare... On the contrary, in the countries which, either from excessive heat or cold, produce no grapes, and where wine consequently is dear and a rarity, drunkenness is a common vice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The availability and affordability of wine can lead to moderation rather than excess, as scarcity drives indulgence.
In this quote, Adam Smith suggests that when wine is cheap and easily accessible, it does not lead to excessive drinking. Instead, people tend to consume it in moderation as part of their daily life. Conversely, in regions where wine is expensive and rare, indulgence in alcohol becomes more common, illustrating how supply and social customs influence behavior surrounding consumption.
Themes
WineSobrietyDrunkennessModerationExcessBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the impact of alcohol consumption in different cultures.
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This is one of those cases in which the imagination is baffled by the facts.
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The real and effectual discipline which is exercised over a workman is that of his customers. It is the fear of losing their employment which restrains his frauds and corrects his negligence.
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Defense is superior to opulence.
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