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manufactures and mechanic arts； the proprietors of land； as well
as the farmers； study agriculture as a science； and redouble
their industry and attention。 The superfluity； which arises from
their labour； is not lost； but is exchanged with manufactures for
those commodities； which men's luxury now makes them covet。 By
this means； land furnishes a great deal more of the necessaries
of life； than what suffices for those who cultivate it。 In times
of peace and tranquillity； this superfluity goes to the
maintenance of manufacturers； and the improvers of liberal arts。
But it is easy for the public to convert many of these
manufacturers into soldiers； and maintain them by that
superfluity； which arises from the labour of the farmers。
Accordingly we find； that this is the case in all civilized
governments。 When the sovereign raises an army； what is the
consequence？ He imposes a tax。 This tax obliges all the people to
retrench what is least necessary to their subsistence。 Those； who
labour in such commodities； must either enlist in the troops； or
turn themselves to agriculture； and thereby oblige some labourers
to enlist for want of business。 And to consider the matter
abstractedly； manufactures encrease the power of the state only
as they store up so much labour； and that of a kind to which the
public may lay claim； without depriving any one of the
necessaries of life。 The more labour； therefore； is employed
beyond mere necessaries； the more powerful is any state； since
the persons engaged in that labour may easily be converted to the
public service。 In a state without manufactures； there may be the
same number of hands； but there is not the same quantity of
labour； nor of the same kind。 All the labour is there bestowed
upon necessaries； which can admit of little or no abatement。
Thus the greatness of the sovereign and the happiness of the
state are； in a great measure； united with regard to trade and
manufactures。 It is a violent method； and in most cases
impracticable； to oblige the labourer to toil； in order to raise
from the land more than what subsists himself and family。 Furnish
him with manufactures and commodities； and he will do it of
himself。 Afterwards you will find it easy to seize some part of
his superfluous labour； and employ it in the public service；
without giving him his wonted return。 Being accustomed to
industry； he will think this less grievous； than if； at once； you
obliged him to an augmentation of labour without any reward。 The
case is the same with regard to the other members of the state。
The greater is the stock of labour of all kinds； the greater
quantity may be taken from the heap； without making any sensible
alteration in it。
A public granary of corn； a storehouse of cloth； a magazine
of arms； all these must be allowed real riches and strength in
any state。 Trade and industry are really nothing but a stock of
labour； which； in times of peace and tranquillity； is employed
for the ease and satisfaction of individuals； but in the
exigencies of state； may； in part； be turned to public advantage。
Could we convert a city into a kind of fortified camp； and infuse
into each breast so martial a genius； and such a passion for
public good； as to make every one willing to undergo the greatest
hardships for the sake of the public； these affections might now；
as in ancient times； prove alone a sufficient spur to industry；
and support the community。 It would then be advantageous； as in
camps； to banish all arts and luxury； and； by restrictions on
equipage and tables； make the provisions and forage last longer
than if the army were loaded with a number of superfluous
retainers。 But as these principles are too disinterested and too
difficult to support； it is requisite to govern men by other
passions； and animate them with a spirit of avarice and industry；
art and luxury。 The camp is； in this case； loaded with a
superfluous retinue； but the provisions flow in proportionably
larger。 The harmony of the whole is still supported； and the
natural bent of the mind being more complied with； individuals；
as well as the public； find their account in the observance of
those maxims。
The same method of reasoning will let us see the advantage of
foreign commerce； in augmenting the power of the state； as well
as the riches and happiness of the subject。 It encreases the
stock of labour in the nation； and the sovereign may convert what
share of it he finds necessary to the service of the public。
Foreign trade； by its imports； furnishes materials for new
manufactures； and by its exports； it produces labour in
particular commodities； which could not be consumed at home。 In
short； a kingdom； that has a large import and export； must abound
more with industry； and that employed upon delicacies and
luxuries； than a kingdom which rests contented with its native
commodities。 It is； therefore； more powerful； as well as richer
and happier。 The individuals reap the benefit of these
commodities； so far as they gratify the senses and appetites。 And
the public is also a gainer； while a greater stock of labour is；
by this means； stored up against any public exigency； that is； a
greater number of laborious men are maintained； who may be
diverted to the public service； without robbing any one of the
necessaries； or even the chief conveniencies of life。
If we consult history； we shall find； that； in most nations；
foreign trade has preceded any refinement in home manufactures；
and given birth to domestic luxury。 The temptation is stronger to
make use of foreign commodities； which are ready for use； and
which are entirely new to us； than to make improvements on any
domestic commodity； which always advance by slow degrees； and
never affect us by their novelty。 The profit is also very great；
in exporting what is superfluous at home； and what bears no
price； to foreign nations； whose soil or climate is not
favourable to that commodity。 Thus men become acquainted with the
pleasures of luxury and the profits of commerce； and their
delicacy and industry； being once awakened； carry them on to
farther improvements； in every branch of domestic as well as
foreign trade。 And this perhaps is the chief advantage which
arises from a commerce with strangers。 It rouses men from their
indolence； and presenting the gayer and more opulent part of the
nation with objects of luxury； which they never before dreamed
of； raises in them a desire of a more splendid way of life than
what their ancestors enjoyed。 And at the same time； the few
merchants； who possess the secret of this importation and
exportation； make great profits； and becoming rivals in wealth to
the ancient nobility； tempt other adventurers to become their
rivals in commerce。 Imitation soon diffuses all those arts； while
domestic manufactures emulate the foreign in their improvements；
and work up every home commodity to the utmost perfection of
which it is susceptible。 Their own steel and iron； in such
laborious hands； become equal to the gold and rubies of the
INDIES。
When the affairs of the society are once brought to this
situation； a nation may lose most of its foreign trade； and y