Army Quotes
In a militia, the character of the laborer, artificer, or tradesman, predominates over that of the soldier: in a standing army, that of the soldier predominates over every other character.
"In a militia, the character of the laborer, artificer, or tradesman, predominates over that of the soldier: in a standing army, that of the soldier predominates over every other character."— Adam Smith
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Meaning of this quote
A militia retains civilian occupational identities, while a standing army makes soldiering the dominant profession.
Key takeaway:
Consider training and institutional purpose when comparing military organizations.
Origin of the quote
The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Who actually said this?
VerifiedWording matches the source apart from edition spelling, punctuation, or word spacing. Original title preserved.
Source:
The Wealth of Nations (1776)
