並列摘要
Two hundred and forty years ago Adam Smith published his famous book ＂The Wealth of Nations＂. The book, when explored the long-term relationship between growth and institution, vividly referred to the Chinese history. In discussing tax, trade, the value of gold and silver, and why prices differed in different places, observations in China were mentioned. There are two important thoughts in his two books, respectively. When ＂self-interest＂ harmonizes the individual vs., public interest in the market, the fairness of law should not be violated, or ＂the propriety of action＂ be followed. The second thought was well presented at his first book ＂The Theory of Moral Sentiments＂. Whether these two pieces of work have ever been influenced by the Chinese culture or Confucianism should be of interest to explore.