Leveled Readings / The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (1776)
These are adaptations, not the original. The original wording is always shown first. Each adapted version restates the same passage at about a grade 4, grade 7, or grade 10 reading level without adding or removing ideas. Quote the original in student writing.
Original wording
“We address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages.”
Adapted · about grade 4
When we buy from the baker, we talk about what helps him, not about our own needs.
Adapted · about grade 7
We appeal not to their kindness but to their self-interest, and we talk about their advantages, not our needs.
Adapted · about grade 10
We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love, and speak to them never of our own necessities but of their advantages.
Used in: Was the Industrial Revolution progress? · How do free markets create prosperity?