Yair Ben-Zvi’s Reviews > The Theory of Moral Sentiments > Status Update

"It is impossible by language to express, if I may say so, the invisible features of all the different modifications of passion as they show themselves within."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 227). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"But, to the man who under-rates himself, unless we have both more discernment and more generosity than belong to the greater part of men, we seldom fail to do, at least, all the injustice which he does to himself, and frequently a great deal more."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 181). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

CHAPTER II. Of the order in which Societies are by nature recommended to our Beneficence.

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 157). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"What institution of government could tend so much to promote the happiness of mankind as the general prevalence of wisdom and virtue? All government is but an imperfect remedy for the deficiency of these."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 129). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"This self-deceit, this fatal weakness of mankind, is the source of half the disorders of human life. If we saw ourselves in the light in which others see us, or in which they would see us if they knew all, a reformation would generally be unavoidable. We could not otherwise endure the sight."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 109). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"There is no greater tormentor of the human breast than violent resentment which cannot be gratified."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 85). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"...yet, if the intentions or affections from which they arose were, on the one hand, equally proper and equally beneficent, or, on the other, equally improper and equally malevolent, the merit or demerit of the actions is still the same, and the agent is equally the suitable object either of gratitude or of resentment."

"That wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue; and that the contempt, of which vice and folly are the only proper objects, is often most unjustly bestowed upon poverty and weakness, has been the complaint of moralists in all ages."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 45). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"It is cruel, we think, in Nature to compel them from their exalted stations to that humble, but hospitable home, which she has provided for all her children. Great King, live forever!"

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 40). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.

"And it is for want of this reserve, that the one half of mankind make bad company to the other. A philosopher is company to a philosopher, only. the member of a club, to his own little knot of companions."

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (p. 27). Neeland Media LLC. Kindle Edition.