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

THOSE who account for the principle of approbation from self-love, do not all account for it in the same manner, and there is a good deal of confusion and inac|curacy in all their different systems. Accord|ing to Mr. Hobbs, and many of his follow|ers * 1.1, man is driven to taken refuge in so|ciety, not by any natural love which he bears to his own kind, but because without the assistance of others he is incapable of subsist|ing with ease or safety. Society, upon this account, becomes necessary to him, and whatever tends to its support and welfare, he considers as having a remote tendency to his own interest, and, on the contrary, whatever is likely to disturb or destroy it, he regards as in some measure hurtful or pernicious to himself. Virtue is the great support and vice the great disturber of human society. The former therefore, is agreeable, and the