Age Quotes
It appears, accordingly, from the experience of all ages and nations, I believe, that the work done by freemen comes cheaper in the end than that performed by slaves.
"It appears, accordingly, from the experience of all ages and nations, I believe, that the work done by freemen comes cheaper in the end than that performed by slaves."— Adam Smith
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Meaning of this quote
Smith argues that free labor can cost less in the long run than enslaved labor, within a broader criticism of slavery.
Key takeaway:
Evaluate labor systems with freedom, incentives, and human dignity in view.
Origin of the quote
The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Who actually said this?
VerifiedWording located in the primary text; capitalization and punctuation may vary.
Source:
The Wealth of Nations (1776)
