"To hinder, besides, the farmer from selling his goods at all times to the best market, is evidently to sacrifice the ordinary laws of justice to an idea of public utility, to a sort of reasons of state; an act of legislative authority which ought to be exercised only, which can be pardoned only in cases of the most urgent necessity."
Adam Smith

January 1, 1970

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Original Language: English

Sources

Chapter V, p. 584.

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adam_Smith