[rob777]

"And do the same people reject Adam Smith and the ideas in the Wealth of Nations because he worked collecting tolls for the government of his time?"


They might not have rejected him, but probably would express doubts on specific practices. That would even more likely be the case if he benefited personally from such practices.

[JLS]

“They might not have rejected him, but probably would express doubts on specific practices. That would even more likely be the case if he benefited personally from such practices.”

Well since his job was Commissioner of Customs for Scotland, I think he did benefit personally:

http://www.econlib.org/library/YPDBooks/Rae/raeLS20.html

While one might favor what is best for society, one must live in the society as it actually is.