Economist · 1723 – 1790
Adam Smith
Little-Known Facts
- Smith considered his Theory of Moral Sentiments, on human sympathy, to be his more important work.
- He served as a customs commissioner late in life — taxing the very trade he analyzed.
Myths & Misconceptions
Did Adam Smith favor unregulated greed?
No. Smith valued markets but also stressed morality, justice and sympathy, and warned against monopolies and the self-serving schemes of merchants.