"The rich] consume little more than the poor, and in spite of their natural selfishness and rapacity ... they divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements. They are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life, which would have been made, had the earth been divided into equal portions among all its inhabitants, and thus without intending it, without knowing it, advance the interest of the society, and afford means to the multiplication of the species."
This quote is from Adam Smith's book "The Wealth of Nations." In this passage, Smith argues that the wealthy individuals, driven by their own self-interest and desire for profit, unintentionally contribute to the well-being of society as a whole.
Smith observes that the rich consume only slightly more than the poor. Despite their natural tendencies towards selfishness and greed, they are compelled by an "invisible hand" to share the benefits of their improvements and advancements with the less fortunate. This leads to a distribution of resources that is comparable to what would have occurred if everyone had equal access to the earth's resources.
Furthermore, Smith suggests that this unintentional contribution by the rich benefits society as a whole. By indirectly supporting the growth and well-being of the population, they contribute to the multiplication of the species. In other words, the actions of the wealthy inadvertently lead to progress and development, even if it was not their explicit intention.
Overall, Smith's quote highlights the unintended but positive consequences of the pursuit of wealth by the rich. It emphasizes how market forces and self-interest can lead to a more equitable distribution of resources, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.