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

in different passions. It is high in some, and low in others. There are some pas|sions which it is indecent to express very strongly, even upon those occasions, in which it is acknowledged we cannot avoid feeling them in the highest degree. And there are others of which the strongest expressions are upon many occasions ex|tremely graceful, even though the passions themselves do not, perhaps, arise so neces|sarily. The first are those passions with which, for certain reasons, there is little or no sympathy: the second are those with which, for other reasons, there is the greatest. And if we consider all the different passions of human nature, we shall find that they are regarded as de|cent, or indecent, just in proportion as mankind are more or less disposed to sympathise with them.