markitect-main/examples/infospace-with-history/output/entities/seed-time-and-harvest-metaphor.md

Seed-Time and Harvest Metaphor

Definition

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.

Source Chapter

Book IV, Chapter 1

Context

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.

Economic Domain

Exchange

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