22 lines
858 B
Markdown
22 lines
858 B
Markdown
<!-- generated: provider=openrouter model=arcee-ai/trinity-large-preview:free date=2026-02-19 source=book-4-chapter-01 -->
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# Seed-Time and Harvest Metaphor
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## Definition
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A agricultural analogy used to explain the long-term benefits of foreign trade, comparing the initial export of goods (seed-time) to planting crops that will yield greater returns later (harvest), thus justifying what might appear to be a short-term loss of precious metals.
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## Source Chapter
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Book IV, Chapter 1
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## Context
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Smith quotes or paraphrases a merchant's argument that foreign trade should be evaluated by its long-term results rather than immediate appearances. The metaphor effectively counters the mercantile fear of exporting precious metals by showing how initial outflows can produce greater inflows through profitable re-exports.
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## Economic Domain
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Exchange
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---
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