Eighteenth Century Collection Online Demo

The theory of moral sentiments: By Adam Smith, ...

the contrary. But in chusing or rejecting, in preferring or postponing, those first objects of original appetite and aversion, nature had likewise taught us, that there was a certain order, propriety, and grace, to be observed, of infinitely greater conse|quence to happiness and perfection, than the attainment of those objects themselves. The objects of our primary appetites or aversions were to be pursued or avoided, chiefly because a regard to this grace and propriety required such conduct. In di|recting all our actions according to these, consisted the happiness and glory of hu|man nature. In departing from those rules which they prescribed to us, its great|est wretchedness and most compleat de|pravity. The outward appearance of this order and propriety was indeed more ea|sily maintained in some circumstances than in others. To a fool, however, to one whose passions were subjected to no proper controul, to act with real grace and pro|priety, was equally impossible in every situ|ation. Tho' the giddy multitude might admire him, tho' his vanity might some|times be elated by their ignorant praises into something that resembled self-appro|bation,
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Title
The theory of moral sentiments: By Adam Smith, ...
Author
Smith, Adam, 1723-1790.
Canvas
Page 131
Publication
London :: printed for A. Millar; and A. Kincaid and J. Bell, in Edinburgh,
1759.

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"The theory of moral sentiments: By Adam Smith, ..." In the digital collection Eighteenth Century Collection Online Demo. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eccodemo/k111361.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 12, 2025.
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