Month: July 2026

“In general, if any branch of trade, or any division of labour, be advantageous to the public, the freer and more general the competition, it will always be the more so.” – Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. One

“Those exertions of the natural liberty of a few individuals, which might endanger the security of the whole society, are, and ought to be, restrained by the laws of all governments; of the most free, as well as of the most despotical.” – Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. One

“It is not by augmenting the capital of the country, but by rendering a greater part of that capital active and productive than would otherwise be so, that the most judicious operations of banking can increase the industry of the country.” – Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol. One

“The executive officer of the 106th Infantry [Regiment] recalled that, during a briefing of principal commanders and staff officers at Pearl Harbor in January [1944], Admiral Turner said, in effect: ‘I say to you commanders of ships—your mission is to put the troops ashore and support their attack to the limit of your capabilities. We expect to lose some ships! If your mission demands it, risk your ship!’” – Henry I. Shaw, Jr., Bernard C. Nalty, and Edwin T. Turnbladh, Central Pacific Drive, History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II, Vol. III, “Part III, The Marshalls: Quickening the Pace” (emphasis in original)

“Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.” – Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, private correspondence, June 1815

“As a madman’s epistles are no gospels, so it skills not much when they are delivered.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 5.1

“To be said, an honest man and a good housekeeper, goes as fairly as to say, a careful man and a great scholar.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 4.2

“In nature there’s no blemish but the mind; none can be call’d deform’d but the unkind: virtue is beauty; but the beauteous-evil are empty trunks o’erflourish’d by the devil.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 3.4

“It comes to pass oft that a terrible oath, with a swaggering accent sharply twanged off, gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 3.4

“Youth is bought more oft than begged or borrowed.” – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night; or, What You Will 3.4