The commercial spirit is the spirit of profit, not patriotism; of credit, not honor; of individual gain, not national prosperity; of trade and dickering, not principle.
Did the occupation of other countries improve our own happiness? Does the individual German get anything out of such conquests?
As a competitor, you always want to receive the best rewards. But you understand that it is a team sport, and you understand the better your team plays, the more you are rewarded.
The public good is promoted best by people pursuing their own private interests. This bothers some people because they're more concerned with motives than with results.
But the wisdom and authority of the legislator are seldom victorious in a contest with the vigilant dexterity of private interest.
[T]he schools, through reliance upon the spur of competition and the bestowing of special honors and prizes, only build up and strengthen the disposition that makes an individual when he leaves school employ his special talents and superior skill to outwit his fellow without respect for the welfare of others
In the business world, everyone is always working at legitimate cross purposes, governed by self interest.
All the work you do, is done for your own salvation, is done for your own benefit.
I can't gain anything off of anyone else not succeeding.
The reason that a good citizen does not use such destructive means to become wealthier is that, if everyone did so, we would all become poorer from the mutual destructiveness.
A Merchant may gain where the Nation loses.
What impels every man to the utmost exertion in the service of his fellow man. Is, in the market not compulsion on the part of gendarmes, hangmen and penal courts, it is self interest.
Men in their private capacities may be allowed to prefer their single profit, but should consult only the general good in public councils.
