An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith

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by Adam Smith · 1723–1790

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"An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith is a treatise published in 1776. This foundational work of classical economics examines what builds nations' wealth at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Smith introduces revolutionary concepts like division of labor, free markets, and the "invisible hand" of self-interest guiding economic activity. Challenging the mercantilist policies of his era, he argues that supply and demand should determine commerce rather than government regulation, establishing theoretical foundations that would shape economic thought for centuries.

Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.

Read time
1725 min
Words
379,502
Chapters
32
Paragraphs
2,187
Price
Free
  • Economics
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsOF THE RENT OF LAND.

The vine is more affected by the difference of soils than any other fruit-tree.

Die Rebe wird durch den Unterschied der Böden stärker beeinflusst als jeder andere Obstbaum.

From some it derives a flavour which no culture or management can equal, it is supposed, upon any other.

Von einigen leitet sie einen Geschmack ab, den keine Kultur oder Bewirtschaftung zu übertreffen vermag, wie man annimmt, auf irgendeinem anderen.

This flavour, real or imaginary, is sometimes peculiar to the produce of a few vineyards; sometimes it extends through the greater part of a small district, and sometimes through a considerable part of a large province.

Dieser Geschmack, ob real oder eingebildet, ist manchmal nur dem Ertrag weniger Weinberge eigen; manchmal erstreckt er sich über den größten Teil eines kleinen Bezirks und manchmal über einen beträchtlichen Teil einer großen Provinz.

The whole quantity of such wines that is brought to market falls short of the effectual demand, or the demand of those who would be willing to pay the whole rent, profit, and wages,

Die gesamte Menge solcher Weine, die auf den Markt gebracht wird, bleibt hinter der effektiven Nachfrage zurück, oder der Nachfrage derjenigen, die bereit wären, den gesamten Pachtzins, Gewinn und die Löhne zu zahlen, die

necessary for preparing and bringing them thither, according to the ordinary rate, or according to the rate at which they are paid in common vineyards.

notwendig sind, um sie herzustellen und dorthin zu bringen, nach dem üblichen Satz oder nach dem Satz, der in gewöhnlichen Weinbergen gezahlt wird.

The whole quantity, therefore, can be disposed of to those who are willing to pay more, which necessarily raises their price above that of common wine.

Die gesamte Menge kann daher an diejenigen verkauft werden, die bereit sind, mehr zu zahlen, was ihren Preis notwendigerweise über den des gewöhnlichen Weins hebt.

The difference is greater or less, according as the fashionableness and scarcity of the wine render the competition of the buyers more or less eager.

Der Unterschied ist größer oder kleiner, je nachdem, wie die Modewelt und die Knappheit des Weins den Wettbewerb der Käufer mehr oder weniger eifrig machen.

Whatever it be, the greater part of it goes to the rent of the landlord.

Was auch immer es ist, der größte Teil davon geht an den Pachtzins des Grundbesitzers.

For though such vineyards are in general more carefully cultivated than most others, the high price of the wine seems to be, not so much the effect, as the cause of this careful cultivation.

Denn obwohl solche Weinberge im Allgemeinen sorgfältiger bewirtschaftet werden als die meisten anderen, scheint der hohe Preis des Weins nicht so sehr die Wirkung als vielmehr die Ursache dieser sorgfältigen Bewirtschaftung zu sein.

In so valuable a produce, the loss occasioned by negligence is so great, as to force even the most careless to attention.

Bei einem so wertvollen Ertrag ist der Verlust, der durch Fahrlässigkeit entsteht, so groß, dass er selbst die Unachtsamsten zur Aufmerksamkeit zwingt.

A small part of this high price, therefore, is sufficient to pay the wages of the extraordinary labour bestowed upon their cultivation, and the profits of the extraordinary stock which puts that labour into motion.

Ein kleiner Teil dieses hohen Preises reicht daher aus, um die Löhne der außergewöhnlichen Arbeit zu bezahlen, die auf ihre Bewirtschaftung verwendet wird, und den Gewinn des außergewöhnlichen Kapitals, das diese Arbeit in Bewegung setzt.

About the author

Adam Smith1723–1790

Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher, a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment.

The Adam Smith page, and where to start →

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Book details

Original language
English
Translation
German, machine translation
Source text
Project Gutenberg #3300
Licence
Public domain worldwide

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