[mseebach]

We're currently at 240 years, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

> It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.

http://geolib.com/smith.adam/won1-02.html

[icebraining]

Greediness is not the same as simply regarding one's interest, though the line is subjective.

[mseebach]

The greed that people talk about when they say that greed is good (by way of Wall Street, the 1987 movie) is, though.

Also, a great many uses of the word in (lazy) criticism of markets and capitalism is that too.

[pyrale]

> The greed that people talk about when they say that greed is good (by way of Wall Street, the 1987 movie) is, though.

Thing is, you can't reduce the pursuit of self interest to accumulating wealth. Therefore, even if we accept the definition of greed as merely pursuing wealth, we misunderstand Smith's quote and fail to acknowledge many sources of creativity. By disproportionately rewarding greed and not other work incentives, we build a society for the few that are driven by it, at the expense of most, and ultimately, we cannot thrive.