"It thus appears, that if population increases, without an increase of capital, wages fall; and that if capital increases, without an increase of popidation, wages rise. It is evident, also, that if both increase, but one faster than the other, the effect will be the same as if the one had not increased at all, and the other had made an increase equal to the difference."
A wage is the price of labor. Examples of wage payments include compensatory payments such as minimum wage, prevailing wage, and yearly bonuses, and remunerative payments such as prizes and tip payouts. Wages are part of the expenses that are involved in running a business. It is an obligation to the employee regardless of the profitability of the company.
"Fair days-wages for fair-days-work! exclaims a sarcastic man; alas, in what corner of this Planet, since Adam first awoke on it, was that ever realised? The days-wages of John Miltons days-work, named Paradise Lost and Miltons Works, were Ten Pounds paid by instalments, and a rather close escape from death on the gallows."
"Our wages cant buy all the wealth we produce; So the factories shut down and we are turned loose."
"Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning."