The Theory of Moral Sentiments Quotes

“How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it.”

― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

topic:happinessinterest

“Are you in earnest resolved never to barter your liberty for the lordly servitude of a court, but to live free, fearless, and independent?”

― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

topic:freedomindependence

“Never complain of that of which it is at all times in your power to rid yourself.”

― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

topic:selfpower

“Though our brother is upon the rack, as long as we ourselves are at our ease, our senses will never inform us of what he suffers. They never did, and never can, carry us beyond our own person, and it is by the imagination only that we can form...”

― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

topic:sufferingimagination

“The great source of both the misery and disorders of human life, seems to arise from over-rating the difference between one permanent situation and another.”

― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

topic:difference