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Farmers
Inland traders are the first and by far the predominant kind of grain traders: in the 18th century, they accounted for over 95% of Britain’s corn trade. While many countries force farmers to sell their grain directly to consumers, Smith argues that Britain’s system is far better for including these inland traders, who act as wholesalers—they facilitate distribution and keep grain markets functioning despite yearly price fluctuations. Consumers tend to blame inland grain traders for scarcity and high prices in lean years, failing to realize that these prices prevent grain supplies from running out (which would cause famine). In this sense, inland traders’ interests are aligned with society’s, even if they generally make their profits in such years, while barely covering their costs in others. Since agriculture is widespread and decentralized, the inland grain trade is all but impossible to monopolize.
Grain Inland Traders Quotes in The Wealth of Nations
The The Wealth of Nations quotes below are all either spoken by Grain Inland Traders or refer to Grain Inland Traders. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Book 4, Chapter 5
Quotes
The man who employs either his labour or his stock in a greater 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 legislature can do.
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Grain Inland Traders Quotes in The Wealth of Nations
The The Wealth of Nations quotes below are all either spoken by Grain Inland Traders or refer to Grain Inland Traders. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Book 4, Chapter 5
Quotes
The man who employs either his labour or his stock in a greater 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 legislature can do.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
