Essay on the Nature of Commerce in General, (the French version: Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en Général) is a book about economics by Richard Cantillon in 1730. The Essay shaped the development of economics through its formative influence on François Quesnay and Adam Smith. It serves a cornerstone upon which all subsequent economic theory has been built. Transaction is proud to breathe new life into this classic work as part of its distinguished series in economic theory and history. The book has been regarded as the first systematic treatise in economic theory.

《商业性质概论》是在政治经济学的形成过程中，对政治经济学各种理论和实践问题进行的第一次系统而全面的论述。该书对法国重农学派和英国经济学家影响极大。这本书被称为威廉·配第以后到亚当·斯密之前最重要的经济学著作。就思想和理论内容而言，它是重农主义的重要先驱。