“The rulers of Great Britain have, for more than a century past, amused the people with the imagination that they possessed a great empire on the west side of the Atlantic. This empire, however, has hitherto existed in imagination only.”

—  Adam Smith

Source: (1776), Book V, Chapter III, Part V, p. 1032 (Last Page).

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "The rulers of Great Britain have, for more than a century past, amused the people with the imagination that they posses…" by Adam Smith?
Adam Smith photo
Adam Smith 175
Scottish moral philosopher and political economist 1723–1790

Related quotes

Dean Acheson photo

“Great Britain has lost an Empire and has not yet found a role.”

Dean Acheson (1893–1971) Statesman and lawyer

Speech at West Point (5 December 1962), in Vital Speeches, January 1, 1963, page 163.

Vernon L. Smith photo
Antonio Negri photo
Martin Luther King, Jr. photo

“The great military leaders of the past have gone, their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) American clergyman, activist, and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement

1950s, Loving Your Enemies (Christmas 1957)
Context: Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security. Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military genius, looking back over his years of conquest, is reported to have said: "Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have built great empires. But upon what did they depend? They depended on force. But centuries ago Jesus started an empire that was built on love, and even to this day millions will die for him." Who can doubt the veracity of these words. The great military leaders of the past have gone, their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing. It started with a small group of dedicated men, who, through the inspiration of their Lord, were able to shake the hinges form the gates of the Roman Empire, and carry the gospel into all the world. Today the vast earthly kingdom of Christ numbers more than 900,000,000 and covers every land and tribe.

Niall Ferguson photo
John Ralston Saul photo
Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax photo
Ulysses S. Grant photo

“It is a subject for congratulation that the great Empire of Brazil has taken the initiatory step toward the abolition of slavery. Our relations with that Empire, always cordial, will naturally be made more so by this act.”

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) 18th President of the United States

1870s, Third State of the Union Address (1871)
Context: It is a subject for congratulation that the great Empire of Brazil has taken the initiatory step toward the abolition of slavery. Our relations with that Empire, always cordial, will naturally be made more so by this act. It is not too much to hope that the Government of Brazil may hereafter find it for its interest, as well as intrinsically right, to advance toward entire emancipation more rapidly than the present act contemplates.

Leopoldo Galtieri photo

“The flag of Argentina is raised here. For all the respect I have for the English people, Great Britain should understand that history has gone by, that centuries have passed, the world has evolved and certain things from the past cannot return.”

Leopoldo Galtieri (1926–2003) Argentine military dictator

"Galtieri, in the Falklands, strikes a conciliatory note" http://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/23/world/galtieri-in-the-falklands-strikes-a-conciliatory-note.html, The New York Times (April 23, 1982)

George W. Bush photo

“America has never been an empire. We may be the only great power in history that had the chance, and refused — preferring greatness to power and justice to glory.”

George W. Bush (1946) 43rd President of the United States

1990s, A Distinctly American Internationalism (November 1999)

Related topics