Smith argued that wealth does not necessarily indicate moral virtue, nor does poverty preclude it. The book brought Smith a sterling reputation as a writer, philosopher and public intellectual. But some of his friends thought it odd that he accepted a position as a tutor to a 17-year-old Duke. This assignment included travel around continental Europe.
Economists and politicians have turned him into a mascot for free-market ideology. Some on the left say the right has badly misread him. Prepare for a very Smithy tug of war. (Part 2 of “In Search of the Real Adam Smith.”)