On "The Wealth of Nations"

The book just finished is a review by P.J. O'Rourke on another book "The Wealth of Nations" which was written by the Scottish scholar Adam Smith.
In this short 217 page book, including an appendix, the author applies witticisms and modern situational reference to Smith's theories on morals, government, and notably economic. O'Rourke’ style is enjoyable and I came away with the impression that Adam Smith was a rare man of practically applied and vast intellect.
Economically Smith believed that men act in their own fiscal best interest. The merchant does not sell goods to help the community he sells to benefit himself.
Speaking of government Smith hypothesized that it evolved as royalty and feudal systems went into decline and as mercantile communities grew. Government was needed only to protect those with possessions, to maintain the status quo. Furthermore Adam Smith was clearly of a mind that any government business is by design wasteful; all things worth doing are better done when motivated by profit.
Smith advocated less taxation on trade, a later day supply-sider. As a Glasgow taxman, he increased collections over 400%.
On imperialism, Smith saw that Britain restricted trade by placing extra taxation on colonies. He advocated either bringing the colonies into the empire as equal citizens, or permitting the colonies to form their own nations.
Smith spoke on many things:

The fair-sex who have commonly much more tenderness than ours, have seldom so much generosity.

And

I have no great faith in political arithmetic

And

The beggar, who suns himself by the side of the highway, possesses the security which kings are fighting for.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this book at 7.