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

WHATEVER praise or blame can be due to any action, must be|long either, first, to the intention or af|fection of the heart, from which it pro|ceeds; or, secondly, to the external action or movement of the body, which this affec|tion gives occasion to; or last, to all the good or bad consequences, which actually, and in fact, proceed from it. These three different things constitute the whole na|ture and circumstances of the action, and must be the foundation of whatever qua|lity can belong to it.

That the two last of these three cir|cumstances cannot be the foundation of any praise or blame, is abundantly evident; nor has the contrary ever been asserted by