According to Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations", how can self-interest help the public good?

Question

According to  Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations", how can self-interest help the public good?

anonymous · Answer

CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THIS PLEASE?!?!?!

wwhitlock · Answer

If I open gas station on the corner of Main and Central, I would do it to make money. I would also give the people of the town the opportunity to by gas. Because the town folk can by gas, they drive more and can by more stuff they need. People from other places may come but my gas on the way to whereeverland. The increased buying and selling would put more money in the pockets of local business. Those owners will have money to support the local baseball league, where I can watch the team play. 
Adam Smith would call this the Invisible Hand. Capitalists who start a business, do it for there own benefit, but the whole of society is benefited in unanticipated ways.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you!