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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.

Name: 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.
Author: Smith, Adam

Smith, Adam

Ethics -- Early works to 1800; Language and languages -- Early works to 1800

The description of virtue which is either given, or at least meant and
intended to be given in each of those systems, for some of the modern
authors are not very fortunate in their manner of expressing themselves,
is no doubt quite just, so far as it goes. There is no virtue without
propriety, and wherever there is propriety, some degree of approbation
is due. But still this description is imperfect. For though propriety is
an essential ingredient in every virtuous action, it is not always the
sole ingredient. Beneficent actions have in them another quality by
which they appear not only to deserve approbation but recompense. None
of those systems account either easily or sufficiently for that superior
degree of esteem which seems due to such actions, or for that diversity
of sentiment which they naturally excite. Neither is the description of
vice more complete. For in the same manner, though impropriety is a
necessary ingredient in every vicious action, it is not always the sole
ingredient, and there is often the highest degree of absurdity and
impropriety in very harmless and insignificant actions. Deliberate
actions, of a pernicious tendency to those we live with, have, besides
their impropriety, a peculiar quality of their own by which they appear
to deserve, not only disapprobation, but punishment; and to be the
objects, not of dislike merely, but of resentment and revenge: and none
of those systems easily and sufficiently account for that superior
degree of detestation which we feel for such actions.




                               CHAP. II.
       _Of those systems which make virtue consist in prudence._


The most ancient of those systems which make virtue consist in prudence,
and of which any considerable remains have come down to us, is that of
Epicurus, who is said, however, to have borrowed all the leading
principles of his philosophy, from some of those who had gone before
him, particularly From Aristippus; though it is very probable,
notwithstanding this allegation of his enemies, that at least his manner
of applying those principles was altogether his own.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

The description of virtue which is either given, or at least meant and
intended to be given in each of those systems, for some of the modern
authors are not very fortunate in their manner of expressing themselves,
is no doubt quite just, so far as it goes. There is no virtue without
propriety, and wherever there is propriety, some degree of approbation
is due. But still this description is imperfect. For though propriety is
an essential ingredient in every virtuous action, it is not always the
sole ingredient. Beneficent actions have in them another quality by
which they appear not only to deserve approbation but recompense. None
of those systems account either easily or sufficiently for that superior
degree of esteem which seems due to such actions, or for that diversity
of sentiment which they naturally excite. Neither is the description of
vice more complete. For in the same manner, though impropriety is a
necessary ingredient in every vicious action, it is not always the sole
ingredient, and there is often the highest degree of absurdity and
impropriety in very harmless and insignificant actions. Deliberate
actions, of a pernicious tendency to those we live with, have, besides
their impropriety, a peculiar quality of their own by which they appear
to deserve, not only disapprobation, but punishment; and to be the
objects, not of dislike merely, but of resentment and revenge: and none
of those systems easily and sufficiently account for that superior
degree of detestation which we feel for such actions.




                               CHAP. II.
       _Of those systems which make virtue consist in prudence._


The most ancient of those systems which make virtue consist in prudence,
and of which any considerable remains have come down to us, is that of
Epicurus, who is said, however, to have borrowed all the leading
principles of his philosophy, from some of those who had gone before
him, particularly From Aristippus; though it is very probable,
notwithstanding this allegation of his enemies, that at least his manner
of applying those principles was altogether his own.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

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.

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.

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