Who said “The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but…”?

Verified

Thomas Jefferson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to Larkin Smith (1809)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to Larkin Smith (1809).

APA

Jefferson, T. (n.d.). The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8891-the-selfish-spirit-of-commerce-knows-no-country/

MLA

Jefferson, Thomas. “The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8891-the-selfish-spirit-of-commerce-knows-no-country/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Jefferson, Thomas. “The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8891-the-selfish-spirit-of-commerce-knows-no-country/.