Adam Smith Explains the Demise of Aristocracy

(Just a bit more from Book One, Chapter VI of The Wealth of Nations)

As any particular commodity comes to be more manufactured, that part of the price which resolves itself into wages and profit comes to be greater in proportion to that which resolves itself into rent.

Arthur Shipman Explains the Demise of America

As any particular economy comes to rely more on the use of credit, that part of price which which resolves itself into interest comes to be greater in proportion to that which resolves itself into wages and profit.