Adam Smith Quotes and Metallica

One of the famous lines from Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self interest." 

As an economics professor, I feel it is my duty to at least raise awareness of one of the seminal works on economics. I offered my students to just fill in the "B" words of the statement. Many got it, but I believe some were too fatigued to recall the various essential Scottish professions of the late 18th century. In their dilemma, the following humorous attempts resulted, and kept it clean:

"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, Beekeeper or the business professor...

"It is not from the Bang of the buck,

"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, Ballot or bureaucracy

"It is not from the Butcher of the beef,
"It is not from the Bakery of the breadmaker,

Some had a little creativity in imagining relevant professions in Elizabethan times
     It is not from the benevolence of the:

• Banker, barber, businessman, 
• builder, bureaucrat, basket weaver, 
• butter producer, bartender, banker, 
• butler, broker, bricklayer

A few more...
"It is not from the Bread of the baker

"It is not from the Boredom of the Board, breathren (sic), or the business

"It is not from the Butcher of the Bull, the bagboy or the ...

My personal favorite, channeling Metallica,

"It is not from the Belly of the Beast, the brewer or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self interest."

 

Life After Undergraduate

I get a lot of questions about career paths, applying and interviewing for jobs, and advice about life in general from undergraduate students. Two themes come up; writing recommendation letters and where to go for grad school.

The world abounds with advice, but I did find a useful page by economist Susan Athey, who diligently addresses many concerns and offers a great starting point. Looking at placements of her students (which of course is endogenous) offers some level of credibility.