Adam Smith

Man is an animal that makes bargains; no other animal does this - one dog does not change a bone with another.

People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.

Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience.

Man, an animal that makes bargains.

Humanity is the virtue of a woman, generosity that of a man.

There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.

With the great part of rich people, the chief employment of riches consists in the parade of riches.

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

The mind is so rarely disturbed, but that the company of friend will restore it to some degree of tranquility and sedateness.

The propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals.