For all the deputies, ministers, and journalists agree on this point, that the more a people receive in exchange for a given quantity of their products, the poorer they become.

Frédéric Bastiat
Economic Sophisms First Series.

This very short “sophism” is an opportunity to come back to the issue with the mercantilists, whereby a simple quote destroys their reasoning completely, according to which it is better that exports are larger than imports. This witty pamphlet in the form of a short story where common sense is turned upside down is a real pleasure to read.