Adam Smith

Man is an animal that makes bargains: no other animal does this – no dog exchanges bones with another.

The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would … assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.

The uniform, constant and uninterrupted effort of every man to better his condition … is frequently powerful enough to maintain the natural progress of things toward improvement, in spite both of the extravagance of government, and of the greatest errors of administration … surmounting a hundred impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often encumbers its operations.

Those unproductive hands … may consume so great a share … that all the frugality and good conduct of individuals may not be able to compensate … this violent and forced encroachment.

The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations.

All systems either of preference or of restraint … completely taken away, the obvious and simple system of natural liberty establishes itself of its own accord. Every man, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free to pursue his own interest in his own way, and to bring both his industry and capital into competition with those of any other man.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.

Don’t argue for other people’s weaknesses. Don’t argue for your own. When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it – immediately.

Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.

Make today worth remembering.

Priority is a function of context.

Rules are meant to be broken.

I was in that part of the class that made the top half possible.

There are no speed limits on the road to success.

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.

I believe it’s important that we use names of endearment that reflect a special feeling for the individual involved.

Knowledge is that which benefits, not that which is memorised.

Little men with little minds and little imaginations go through life in little ruts, smugly resisting all changes which would jar their little worlds.

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.

How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?

Don’t let mistakes and disappointments of the past control and direct your future.