# Book II: Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock explained — The Wealth of Nations

> Chapter companion for The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith.

## What happens

This book examines the nature, accumulation, and employment of stock, distinguishing between capital used for immediate consumption and fixed or circulating capital, and discussing how stock is accumulated and employed to generate revenue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Money

Discusses the nature of stock and its accumulation as a form of wealth.

### Division of Labor

Implied in the employment of stock to support specialized productive labor.

## Character check-ins

### Adam Smith

Author and narrator of the analysis on stock.

### The Employer

Represents those who employ stock in productive labor.

### A Workman

Represents laborers whose work is supported by stock.

## Key lines

> Of the nature, accumulation, and employment of stock.

This book explores what stock is, how it is gathered, and how it is used.

_Opening statement of the chapter's focus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/book-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters