Introduction
We should all remember this cautionary comment from Adam Smith, the principal founding theorist of capitalism: The proposal of any new law or regulation of commerce which comes from this order [i.e., that of the business interests, the "dealers" as Smith calls them], ought always to be listened to with great precaution, and ought never to be adopted till after having long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but with the most suspicious attention. It comes from an order of men whose interest is never exactly the same with that of the public, who have generally an interest to deceive and even to oppress the public, and who accordingly have, upon many occasions, both deceived and oppressed it. Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Book 1, Chapter 11.
The Theory of Moral Sentiments Part One of Smith's Moral Philosophy [Fully searchable!]
An Inquiry into the Nature & Causes of the Wealth of Nations Part Two of Smith's Moral Philosophy [Fully searchable!]
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