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
No complaint... is more common than that of a scarcity of money.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often complain about not having enough money, reflecting a common struggle in society.
Adam Smith highlights a universal issue that transcends time, where the lack of money is a frequent source of dissatisfaction among individuals. This scarcity function serves as a critical commentary on economic conditions, personal priorities, and social structures that shape our attitudes towards wealth and resources, emphasizing how financial concerns dominate human experiences.
Themes
MoneyScarcityComplaintEconomicsSociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a financial seminar, one could use this quote to discuss common financial challenges.
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Wherever there is great property, there is great inequality.
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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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Some people say we have this inequality because some people have been contributing much more to our society, and so it's fair that they get more. But then you look at the people who are at the top, and you realize they're not the people who have transformed our economy, our society.
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