The Wealth of Nations (English-Chinese Parallel Translation Collector's Edition)

Author: Adam Smith (English)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Anticipated that the division of labor would lead to general prosperity and sought to utilize it to achieve universal wealth. However, the numerous conveniences brought about by the division of labor were not the result of human wisdom. Instead, they were the gradual outcome of a particular inclination within human nature—mutual exchange, barter, and trade. This widespread application was unforeseen. This inclination is unique to humans. The three meals we need daily do not come from the charity of butchers, brewers, or bakers, but from their pursuit of self-interest. We appeal to their self-interest, not their benevolence. It is not what we need, but what they desire. As the vast majority of mutual assistance we require is obtained through contracts, exchanges, and purchases, the division of labor initially arose from this tendency to exchange. For example, in hunting or pastoral tribes, someone might be faster, more skilled, and better at making bows and arrows than others. They often exchanged their homemade bows and arrows for their companions' livestock or venison. Later, they discovered that they could obtain much more livestock and venison through this method than by hunting themselves. Therefore, for the sake of their own interests, making bows and arrows became their primary occupation, and they became weapon makers. Zm+A. The third person became a blacksmith or coppersmith in the same way, and the fourth became a tanner or leatherworker. Thus, everyone could certainly use the surplus portion of their labor products that they could not consume for exchange with others' labor products as needed. This certainty in exchange encouraged people to commit themselves to a specific occupation and to refine and perfect the natural talents or abilities they possessed for that profession. P25