But though empires, like all the other works of men, have all hitherto proved mortal, yet every empire aims at immortality. - Adam Smith

Corn is a necessary, silver is only a superfluity.

All registers which, it is acknowledged, ought to be kept secret, ought certainly never to exist.

The man who employs either his labour or his stock in a grater variety of ways than his situation renders necessary, can never hurt his neighbour by underselling him. He may hurt himself, and he generally does so. Jack of all trades will never be rich, says the proverb. But the law ought always to trust people with the care of their own interest, as in their local situations they must generally be able to judge better of it than the legislator can do.