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I always found this quote from The Wealth of Nations to be quite insightful and was one of those surprising moments reading the actual text: "It will be found,
by cherrycherry98 5y ago
I always found this quote from The Wealth of Nations to be quite insightful and was one of those surprising moments reading the actual text:
"It will be found, I believe, in every sort of trade, that the man who works so moderately, as to be able to work constantly, not only preserves his health the longest, but, in the course of the year, executes the greatest quantity of work."
- missedthecue 5y agoI think that is just saying to work smarter, not harder. I don't think it's saying put in fewer hours. The "as to be able to work constantly" seems to be vital here.
- pietrovismara 5y agoI don't think so; it says "moderately". As in, this is a marathon, not a sprint. If you run too fast, you won't get to the end of the race.
- cherrycherry98 5y agoI provided the quote which I thought most concisely communicated his thesis in this passage. The immediately proceeding lines I believe clarify it: "Great labour, either of mind or body, continued for several days together is, in most men, naturally followed by a great desire of relaxation, which, if not restrained by force, or by some strong necessity, is almost irresistible. It is the call of nature, which requires to be relieved by some indulgence, sometimes of ease only, but sometimes too of dissipation and diversion. If it is not complied with, the consequences are often dangerous and sometimes fatal, and such as almost always, sooner or later, bring on the peculiar infirmity of the trade. If masters would always listen to the dictates of reason and humanity, they have frequently occasion rather to moderate, than to animate the application of many of their workmen." This is all from Chapter VIII: Of The Wages Of Labour.