Exactly. As Adam Smith said, "IT IS NOT FROM THE BENEVOLENCE OF THE BUTCHER, THE BREWER, OR THE BAKER THAT WE EXPECT OUR DINNER, BUT FROM THEIR REGARD TO THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST"
These merchants weren't benefitting society because they were nice, but because their greed produced goods which benefit society.
Countries where it is difficult or impossible to reduce costs, headcount or do other "mean" things have much higher unemployment and much lower standards of living. But at least those lucky job holders can feel more "secure" than Havoc.