"I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good"

Adam Smith's quote suggests that those who claim to act in the public interest frequently do not have the general public's best interests at heart. He indicates that those who declare to be working for the general public great are frequently motivated by their own self-interest. This is in line with Smith's financial theories, which emphasize the significance of self-interest in the free market. He thought that when people pursue their own interests, the public great is eventually served. Smith's quote is a suggestion that we ought to be wary of those who declare to be acting in the public interest, as their true motivations might not be as selfless as they appear. Ultimately, Smith's quote serves as a cautioning to be conscious of those who declare to be working for the general public excellent, as their true intentions might not be as worthy as they appear.