Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chapter II, Part II, Article IV, pg.951.
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If a workman can conveniently spare those three halfpence, he buys a pot of porter. If he cannot, he contents himself with a pint, and, as a penny saved is a penny got, he thus gains a farthing by his temperance.

— Adam Smith on Temperance

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "If a workman can conveniently spare those three halfpence, he buys a pot of porter. If he cannot, he contents himself with a pint, and, as a penny saved is a penny got, he thus gains a farthing by his temperance." in the context of "Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chapter II, Part II, Article IV, pg.951." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Temperance" (Quotes) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Adam Smith

About Adam Smith

Adam Smith (16 June 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish-born economist and philosopher, widely considered the "father of modern economics".