The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or, an Essay Towards an Analysis of the Principles by Which Men Naturally Judge Concerning the Conduct and Character, First of Their Neighbours, and Afterwards of Themselves. to Which Is Added, a Dissertation on the Origin of Languages.Smith, Adam
Philosophy
The Theory of Moral Sentiments: Or, an Essay Towards an Analysis of the Principles by Which Men Naturally Judge Concerning the Conduct and Character, First of Their Neighbours, and Afterwards of Themselves. to Which Is Added, a Dissertation on the Origin of Languages.
Smith, Adam
Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Language and languages -- Early works to 1800
He will observe that mankind approve of some
of them, and are disgusted by others. He will be elevated in the one
case, and cast down in the other; his desires and aversions, his joys
and sorrows will now often become the causes of new desires and new
aversions, new joys and new sorrows: they will now therefore interest
him deeply, and often call upon his most attentive consideration.
Our first ideas of personal beauty and deformity, are drawn from the
shape and appearance of others, not from our own. We soon become
sensible, however, that others exercise the same criticism upon us. We
are pleased when they approve of our figure, and are disobliged when
they seem to be disgusted. We become anxious to know how far our
appearance deserves either their blame or approbation. We examine our
own persons limb by limb, and by placing ourselves before a
looking-glass, or by some such expedient, endeavour, as much as
possible, to view ourselves at the distance and with the eyes of other
people. If after this examination we are satisfied with our own
appearance, we can more easily support the most disadvantageous
judgments of others: if, on the contrary, we are sensible that we are
the natural objects of distaste, every appearance of their
disapprobation mortifies us beyond all measure. A man who is tolerably
handsome, will allow you to laugh at any little irregularity in his
person; but all such jokes are commonly insupportable to one who is
really deformed. It is evident, however, that we are anxious about our
own beauty and deformity only on account of its effect upon others. If
we had no connexion with society, we should be altogether indifferent
about either.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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