The Invisible Hand

From The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Smith's famous metaphor for how individuals pursuing their own gain are led, as if by an invisible hand, to promote the public interest more effectively than when they intend to do so.
Book IV, Chapter II

The canonical 'invisible hand' passage on domestic versus foreign industry, where the individual 'intends only his own gain' but is 'led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.'

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Book I, Chapter II

The 'butcher, the brewer, or the baker' passage: 'It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.'

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