Simple Truths

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. English friends, besides Mr Sadler, have also requested me to publish the English version. One of these friend's arguments made me overcome my misgivings: Don't hesitate to publish, because all you have to say is trite and what every economist knows and agrees on; that is just what busy people, who have not much time to read, want. Most books on political economy are taken up with discussing very profound subjects and contro verting the errors of other economists. What we busy men want is a short book, in simple language, showing the first principles on which all economists are agreed. I therefore print this book with three hopes: first, that it may be of benefit to Chinese who read English, and through them to the rest of their countrymen; secondly, that it may interest some of my many European and American friends in these regions; and thirdly, that the sale of copies may be of service to an admirable institution.