Quote by Adam Smith
To found a great empire for the sole purpose of raising up a people of customers, may at first sight appear a project fit only for a nation of shopkeepers. It is, however, a project altogether unfit for a nation of shopkeepers, but extremely fit for a nation that is governed by shopkeepers.
Summary
This quote, often attributed to economist Adam Smith, suggests that establishing a great empire solely for the purpose of increasing consumer demand may seem like a pursuit only suitable for a nation of shopkeepers. However, the quote argues that such a project is actually unsuitable for a nation of shopkeepers themselves, but rather, it is suitable for a nation governed by shopkeepers. The quote implies a distinction between a nation's economic activities and its governance, emphasizing that for a nation to successfully build an empire focused on consumerism, it needs leadership with business acumen rather than relying solely on a mercantile population.
Topics
Empire
By Adam Smith
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