View source for The Wealth of Nations/overwork

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[[Category:Adam Smith]]
[[Category:Unions]]
[[Category:Labor]]
{{Quote
| text = Workmen, on the contrary, when they are liberally paid by the piece, are very apt to overwork themselves, and to ruin their health and constitution in a few years... Almost every class of artificers is subject to some peculiar infirmity occasioned by excessive application to their peculiar species of work. .. Great labour, either of mind or body, continued for several days together is, in most men, naturally followed by a great desire of relaxation, which, if not restrained by force, or by some strong necessity, is almost irresistible... If it is not complied with, the consequences are often dangerous and sometimes fatal, and such as almost always, sooner or later, bring on the peculiar infirmity of the trade. If masters would always listen to the dictates of reason and humanity, they have frequently occasion rather to moderate, than to animate the application of many of their workmen. It will be found, I believe, in every sort of trade, that the man who works so moderately, as to be able to work constantly, not only preserves his health the longest, but, in the course of the year, executes the greatest quantity of work.
| cite = [[Adam Smith]], "{{Link |The Wealth of Nations}}" VIII
}}