The moral wisdom of Adam Smith . . .
For true religion, not trendy self-esteem: “As to love our neighbour as we love ourselves is the great law of Christianity, so it is the great precept of nature to love ourselves only as we love our neighbour . . . or as our neighbour is capable of loving us.”
On virtuous conduct: ”Wise, prudent, and good conduct was, in the first place, the conduct most likely to ensure success in every species of undertaking; and secondly, though it should fail of success, yet the mind was not left without consolation. The virtuous man might still enjoy the complete approbation of his own breast; and might still feel that, how untoward soever things might be without, all was calm and peace and concord within.”
On individual liberty: “Every man, as the Stoics used to say, is first and principally recommended to his own care; and every man is certainly, in every respect, fitter and abler to take care of himself than of any other person.”
On the evil of covetousness (read: socialism): “There can be no proper motive for hurting our neighbour . . . To disturb his happiness merely because it stands in the way of our own, to take from him what is of real use to him merely because it may be of equal or of more use to us, or to indulge, in this manner, at the expence of other people, the natural preference which every man has for his own happiness above that of other people, is what no impartial spectator can go along with.”
On justice: As every man doth, so shall it be done to him. . . . The violator of the laws of justice ought to made to feel himself that eveil which he has done to another. . . .”
For true religion, not trendy self-esteem: “As to love our neighbour as we love ourselves is the great law of Christianity, so it is the great precept of nature to love ourselves only as we love our neighbour . . . or as our neighbour is capable of loving us.”
On virtuous conduct: ”Wise, prudent, and good conduct was, in the first place, the conduct most likely to ensure success in every species of undertaking; and secondly, though it should fail of success, yet the mind was not left without consolation. The virtuous man might still enjoy the complete approbation of his own breast; and might still feel that, how untoward soever things might be without, all was calm and peace and concord within.”
On individual liberty: “Every man, as the Stoics used to say, is first and principally recommended to his own care; and every man is certainly, in every respect, fitter and abler to take care of himself than of any other person.”
On the evil of covetousness (read: socialism): “There can be no proper motive for hurting our neighbour . . . To disturb his happiness merely because it stands in the way of our own, to take from him what is of real use to him merely because it may be of equal or of more use to us, or to indulge, in this manner, at the expence of other people, the natural preference which every man has for his own happiness above that of other people, is what no impartial spectator can go along with.”
On justice: As every man doth, so shall it be done to him. . . . The violator of the laws of justice ought to made to feel himself that eveil which he has done to another. . . .”
