第9章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Adam Smith",免费读到尾

  Buttheordinaryloveofourcountryinvolvestwothings:acertainreverencefortheformofgovernmentactuallyestablished,andanearnestdesiretorendertheconditionofourfellow-citizensassafe,respectable,andhappy,aspossible。Itisonlyintimesofpublicdiscontentandfactionthatthesetwoprinciplesmaydrawdifferentways,andleadtodoubtwhetherachangeintheconstitutionmightnotbemostconducivetothegeneralhappiness。Insuchtimes,theleadersofthediscontentedpartyoftenpropose\"tonew-modeltheconstitution,andtoalter,insomeofitsmostessentialparts,thatsystemofgovernmentunderwhichthesubjectsofagreatempirehaveenjoyedperhapspeace,security,andevenglory,duringthecourseofseveralcenturiestogether。\"Anditmayrequirethehighesteffortofpoliticalwisdomtodeterminewhenarealpatriotoughttosupportandtrytore-establishtheauthorityoftheoldsystem,andwhenheoughttogivewaytothemoredaring,butoftendangerous,spiritofinnovation。

  Nothing,indeed,ismorefataltothegoodorderofsocietythanthepolicyof\"amanofsystem,\"whoissoenamouredofhisownidealplanofgovernmentastobeunabletosufferthesmallestdeviationfromanypartofit,andwhoinsistsuponestablishingandestablishingallatonce,andinspiteofallopposition,whateverhisideamayseemtorequire。

  Suchamanerectshisownjudgmentintothesupremestandardofrightandwrong,andfancieshimselftheonlywiseandworthymaninthecommonwealth。

  \"Itisuponthisaccountthatofallpoliticalspeculatorssovereignprincesarebyfarthemostdangerous。Thisarroganceisperfectlyfamiliartothem。Theyentertainnodoubtoftheimmensesuperiorityoftheirownjudgment……andconsiderthestateasmadeforthemselves,notthemselvesforthestate。\"

  Itisotherwisewiththerealpatriot,withthemanwhosepublicspiritispromptedaltogetherbyhumanityandbenevolence。He\"willrespecttheestablishedpowersandprivilegesevenofindividuals,andstillmorethoseofthegreatordersandsocietiesintowhichthestateisdivided。Thoughheshouldconsidersomeofthemasinsomemeasureabusive,hewillcontenthimselfwithmoderating,whatheoftencannotannihilatewithoutgreatviolence。Whenhecannotconquertherootedprejudicesofthepeoplebyreasonandpersuasion,hewillnotattempttosubduethembyforce,butwillreligiouslyobservewhatbyCiceroisjustlycalledthedivinemaximofPlato,nevertouseviolencetohiscountry,nomorethantohisparents。

  Hewillaccommodate,aswellashecan,hispublicarrangementstotheconfirmedhabitsandprejudicesofthepeople;andwillremedy,aswellashecan,theinconvenienceswhichmayflowfromthewantofthoseregulationswhichthepeopleareadversetosubmitto。Whenhecannotestablishtheright,hewillnotdisdaintoamelioratethewrong;but,likeSolon,wherehecannotestablishthebestsystemoflaws,hewillendeavourtoestablishthebestthatthepeoplecanbear。\"

  ButalthoughPrudence,Justice,andBenevolencecompriseallthequalitiesandactionswhichgotomakeupthehighestVirtue,anotherquality,thatofSelf-Command,isalsonecessary,inorderthatwemaynotbemisledbyourownpassionstoviolatetherulesoftheotherthreevirtues。Themostperfectknowledge,unlesssupportedbythemostperfectself-command,willnotofitselfenableustodoourduty。

  Thetwosetsofpassionswhichitisnecessarytocommandarethosewhich,likefearandanger,itisdifficulttocontrolevenforamoment,orthosewhich,liketheloveofease,pleasure,applause,orotherselfishgratifications,mayberestrainedindeedoftenforamoment,butoftenprevailinthelongrun,byreasonoftheircontinualsolicitations。Thecommandofthefirstsetofpassionsconstituteswhattheancientmoralistsdenominatedfortitude,orstrengthofmind;thatoftheothersetwhattheycalledtemperance,decency,moderation。

  Self-commandthereforeisaunionofthequalitiesoffortitudeandtemperance;andindependentlyofthebeautyitderivesfromutility,asenablingustoactaccordingtothedictatesofprudence,justice,andbenevolence,ithasabeautyofitsown,anddeservesforitsownsakealonesomedegreeofouradmirationandesteem。

  Forself-commandisnotonlyitselfagreatvirtue,butitisthechiefsourceofthelustreofalltheothervirtues。Thusthecharacterofthemostexaltedwisdomandvirtueisthatofamanwhoactswiththegreatestcoolnessinextremedangersanddifficulties,whoobservesreligiouslythesacredrulesofjustice,inspiteofthetemptationbyhisstrongestinterestsorbythegrossestinjuriestoviolatethem,andwhosuffersnotthebenevolenceofhistempertobedampedbytheingratitudeofitsobjects。

  Thefirstqualityinthecharacterofself-commandisCourageortherestraintofthepassionoffear。Thecommandoffearismoreadmirablethanthatofanger。Theexertiondisplayedbyaman,whoinpersecutionordangersuffersnowordorgesturetoescapehim,whichdoesnotperfectlyaccordwiththefeelingsofthemostindifferentspectator,commandsahighdegreeofadmiration。HadSocratesbeensufferedtodiequietlyinhisbed,evenhisgloryasaphilosophermightneverhaveattainedthatdazzlingsplendourwhichhaseverbeenattachedtohim。Courageevencausessomedegreeofregardtobepaidtothegreatestcriminalswhodiewithfirm-ness;andthefreedomfromthefearofdeath,thegreatfearofall,isthatwhichennoblestheprofessionofasoldier,andbestowsuponitarankanddignitysuperiortothatofeveryotherprofession。Itisforthisreasonthatsomesortofesteemisattachedtocharacters,howeverworthless,whohaveconductedwithsuccessagreatwarlikeexploit,thoughunder-takencontrarytoeveryprincipleofjustice,and。carriedonwithnoregardtohumanity。

  Thecommandofthepassionofanger,thoughithasnospecialnamelikethatofthepassionoffear,meritsonmanyoccasionsmuchadmiration。

  Butwhilstcourageisalwaysadmiredirrespectiveofitsmotive,ourapprovalofthecommandofangerdependsonoursenseofitsdignityandpropriety。

  OurwholesenseofthebeautyofthePhilippicsofDemosthenesoroftheCatilineorationsofCiceroisderivedfromtheproprietywithwhichajustindignationisexpressedinthem。Thisjustindignationisnothingbutangerre-strainedtothatdegreewithwhichtheimpartialspectatorcansympathize。Itisbecauseablusteringandnoisyangerintereststhespectatorlessfortheangrymanthanforthepersonwithwhomlieisangrythatthenoblenessofpardoningsooftenappearssuperiortothemostperfectproprietyofresentment。Butthefactthattherestraintofangermaybeduetothepresenceoffearaccountsforthelessgeneraladmirationthatispaidtotheformerthanisoftenpaidtothelatter。Theindulgenceofangerseemstoshowasortofcourageandsuperioritytofear,andforthatreasonitissome-timesanobjectofvanity,whilsttheindulgenceoffearisneveranobjectofasimilarostentation。

  ThenextqualityinSelf-CommandisTemperance,orthecommandofthoselessviolentpassionswhichappealtoourloveofeaseorpleasure。

  Thecommandofthesepassionscanseldom,likethecommandofangerorfear,bedirectedtoanybadend。Temperanceandmoderation,whichincludesuchvirtuesasindustry,frugality,orchastity,arealwaysamiable;butinasmuchastheirexerciserequiresagentlerthoughsteadierexertionthanisnecessaryfortherestraintofangerorfear,thebeautyandgracewhichbelongtothemarelessdazzling,thoughnonethelesspleasing,thanthequalitieswhichattendthemoresplendidactionsofthehero,thestatesman,orthelegislator。

  Ithasalreadybeenobservedthatthepointofpropriety,ordegreeofanypassionwithwhichanimpartialspectatorcanapprove,isdifferentlysituatedindifferentpassions,insomecaseslyingnearertotheexcess,andinothersnearertothedefect。Butitremainstobenoticed,\"thatthepassionswhichthespectatorismostdisposedtosympathizewith,andinwhich,uponthataccount,thepointofproprietymaybesaidtostandhigh,arethoseofwhichtheimmediatefeelingorsensationismoreorlessagreeabletothepersonprincipallyconcerned;andthat,onthecontrary,thepassionswhichthespectatoris`leastdisposedtosympathizewith,andinwhich,uponthataccount,thepointofproprietymaybesaidtostandlow,arethoseofwhichtheimmediatefeelingorsensationismoreorlessdisagreeableorevenpainfultothepersonprincipallyconcerned。\"

  Forinstance,thedispositiontothesocialaffections,tohumanity,kindness,naturalaffection,orfriendship,beingalwaysagreeabletothepersonwhofeelsthem,meetswithmoresympathyinitsexcessthaninitsdefect。Thoughweblameadisposition,thatistooreadyandindiscriminateinitskindness,weregarditwithpityratherthanwiththedislikewhichwefeeltowardsapersonwhoisdefectiveinkindness,orcharacterizedbywhatiscalledhardnessofheart。Ontheotherhand,thedispositiontotheunsocialaffectionstoanger,hatred,envy,ormaliceasitismoreagreeabletothepersonprincipallyconcernedindefectthaninexcess,soanydefectofthosepassionsapproachesnearertothepointofproprietyapprovedofbythespectatorthananyexcessintheirmanifestation。Theirexcessrendersamanwretchedandmiserableinhisownmind,andhencetheirdefectismorepleasingtoothers。Neverthelesseventhedefectmaybeexcessive。Thewantofproperindignationisamostessentialdefectinanycharacter,ifitpreventsamanfromprotectingeitherhimselforhisfriendsfrominsultorinjustice。Oragain,thatdefectoforfreedomfromenvy,which,foundedonindolenceorgoodnature,oronanaversiontotroubleoropposition,suffersothersreadilytorisefaraboveus,asitgenerallyleadstomuchregretandrepentanceafterwards,soitoftengivesplace\"toamostmalignantenvyintheend,andtoahatredofthatsuperioritywhichthosewhohaveonceattaineditmayoftenbecomereallyentitledto,bytheverycircumstanceofhavingattainedit。Inordertolivecomfortablyintheworld,itisuponalloccasionsasnecessarytodefendourdignityandrankasitistodefendourlivesorourfortune。\"

  Sensibilitytoourownpersonaldangers,injuries,orfortunes,ismoreapttooffendbyitsexcessthanbyitsdefect,andhereagainthesameruleprevails,forafretfulortimiddispositionrendersamanmiserabletohimselfaswellasoffensive。toothers。Acalmtemper,whichcontentedlylaysitsaccounttosuffersomewhatfromboththenaturalandmoralevilsinfestingtheworld,isablessingtothemanhimself,andgiveseaseandsecuritytoallhisfellows。Butsuchdefectofsensibilitymayalsobeexcessive,forthemanwhofeelslittleforhisownmisfortunesorinjurieswillalwaysfeellessforthoseofotherpeople,andbelessdisposedtorelieveorresentthem。

  Adefectofsensibilitytothepleasuresandamusementsoflifeismoreoffensivethantheexcess,forbothtothepersonprimarilyaffectedandtothespectatorastrongpropensitytojoyismorepleasingthanthecontrary。

  Thispropensityisonlyblamedwhenitsindulgenceisunsuitedtotimeorplace,totheageorthesituationofaperson,andwhenitleadstotheneglectofhisinterestorduty。Butitisratherinsuchcasestheweaknessofthesenseofproprietyanddutythatisblamedthanthestrengthofthepropensitytojoy。

  Self-esteemalsoismoreagreeableinexcessthanindefect,foritissomuchmorepleasanttothinkhighlythanitistothinkmeanlyofourselves。Andjustasweapplytwodifferentstandardstoourjudgmentaboutothers,soinself-estimationweapplytoourselvesboththestandardofabsoluteperfectionandthatoftheordinaryapproximationthereto。

  Tothesetwostandardsthesamemanoftenbestowsadifferentdegreeofattentionatdifferenttimes。Ineverymanthereexistsanideaofexactproprietyandperfection;anideagraduallyformedfromobservationsofhimselfandothers,\"theslow,gradual,andprogressiveworkofthegreatdemigodwithinthebreast,thegreatjudgeandarbiterofconduct。\"Itisanideawhich,ineveryman,ismoreorlessaccuratelydrawn,moreorlessjustlycolouredanddesigned,accordingtothedelicacyandcarewithwhichtheobservationshavebeenmade。

  Butitisthewiseandvirtuousmanwho,havingmadetheseobservationswiththeutmostcare,directshisconductchieflybythisidealstandard,andesteemshimselfrightlyinconsequence。Hefeelstheimperfectsuccessofallhisbestendeavourstoassimilatehisconducttothatarchetypeofperfection,andrememberswithhumiliationthefrequencyofhisaberrationfromtheexactrulesofperfectpropriety。Andsoconsciousisheofhisimperfectionthat,evenwhenhejudgeshimselfbythesecondstandardofordinaryrectitude,heisunabletoregardwithcontemptthestillgreaterimperfectionofotherpeople。Thushischaracterisoneofrealmodesty,forhecombines,withaverymoderateestimateofhisownmerit,afullsenseofthemeritofothers。

  Thedifferenceindeedbetweensuchamanandtheordinarymanisthedifferencebetweenthegreatartistwhojudgesofhisownworksbyhisconceptionofidealperfectionandthelesserartistwhojudgesofhisworkmerelybycomparisonwiththeworkofotherartists。ThepoetBoileau,whousedtosaythatnogreatmanwasevercompletelysatisfiedwithhisownwork,beingonceassuredbySanteuil,awriterofLatinverses,thathe,forhisownpart,wascompletelysatisfiedwithhisown,repliedthathewascertainlytheonlygreatmanwhoeverwasso。Yethowmuchharderofattainmentistheidealperfectioninconductthanitisinart!Fortheartistmayworkundisturbed,andinfullpossessionofallhisskillandexperience。But\"thewisemanmustsupporttheproprietyofhisownconductinhealthandinsickness,insuccessandindisappointment,inthehouroffatigueanddrowsyindolence,aswellasinthatofthemostwakenedattention。Themostsuddenandunexpectedassaultsofdifficultyanddistressmustneversurprisehim。Theinjusticeofotherpeoplemustneverprovokehimtoinjustice。Theviolenceoffactionmustneverconfoundhim。Allthehardshipsandhazardsofwarmustnevereitherdisheartenorappalhim。\"

  Prideandvanityaretwodistinctkindsofthatexcessiveself-estimationwhichweblameinpersonswhoenjoynodistinguishedsuperiorityoverthecommonlevelofmankind;andthoughtheproudmanisoftenvain,andthevainmanproud,thetwocharactersareeasilydistinguishable。

  Theproudmanissincere,andinthebottomofhisheartconvincedofhisownsuperiority。Hewishesyoutoviewhiminnootherlightthanthatinwhich,whenheplaceshim-selfinyoursituation,liereallyviewshimself。Heonlydemandsjustice。Hedeignsnottoexplainthegroundsofhispretensions;hedisdainstocourtesteem,andevenaffectstodespiseit。Heistoowellcontentedwithhimselftothinkthathischaracterrequiresanyamendment。Hedoesnotalwaysfeelateaseinthecompanyofhisequals,andstilllessinthatofhissuperiors。Unableasheistolaydownhisloftypretensions,andoverawedbysuchsuperiority,hehasrecoursetohumblercompany,forwhichhehaslittlerespect,andinwhichhefindslittlepleasurethatofhisinferiorsordependants。Ifhevisitshissuperiors,itistoshowthatheisentitledtolivewiththemmorethanfromanyrealsatisfactionhederivesfromthem。Heneverflatters,andisoftenscarcelyciviltoanybody。Heseldomstoopstofalsehood;butifhedoes,itistolowerotherpeople,andtodetractfromthatsuperioritywhichhethinksunjustlyattachedtothem。

  TheVainmanisdifferentinnearlyallthesepoints。Heisnotsincerelyconvincedofthesuperiorityheclaims。Seeingtherespectwhichispaidtorankandfortune,talentsorvirtues,lieseekstousurpsuchrespect;

  andbyhisdressandmodeoflivingproclaimsahigherrankandfortunethanreallybelongtohim。Heisdelightedwithviewinghimself,notinthelightinwhichweshouldviewhimifweknewallthatheknows,butinthatinwhichlieimaginesthathehasinducedustoviewhim。Unliketheproudman,hecourtsthecompanyofhissuperiors,enjoyingthereflectedsplendourofassociatingwiththem。\"Hehauntsthecourtsofkingsandtheleveesofministers,……heisfondofbeingadmittedtothetablesofthegreat,andstillmorefondofmagnifyingtootherpeoplethefamiliaritywithwhichheishonouredthere;heassociateshimselfasmuchashecanwithfashionablepeople,withthosewhoaresupposedtodirectthepublicopinionwiththewitty,withthelearned,withthepopular;andheshunsthecompanyofhisbestfriends,whenevertheveryuncertaincurrentofpublicfavourhappenstoruninanyrespectagainstthem。\"Nevertheless,\"vanityisalmostalwaysasprightlyandgay,andveryoftenagood-naturedpassion。\"Eventhefalsehoodsofthevainmanareallinnocentfalsehoods,meanttoraisehimself,nottolowerotherpeople。Hedoesnot,liketheproudman,thinkhischaracteraboveimprovement;but,inhisdesireoftheesteemandadmirationofothers,isactuatedbyarealmotivetonobleexertion。Vanityisfrequentlyonlyaprematureattempttousurpglorybeforeitisdue;andso\"thegreatsecretofeducationistodirectvanitytoproperobjects,\"bydiscouragingpretensionstotrivialaccomplishments,butnotthosetomoreimportantones。

  Boththeproudandthevainmanareconstantlydissatisfied;theonebeingtormentedbywhatheconsiderstheunjustsuperiorityofotherpeople,andtheotherdreadingtheshameofthedetectionofhisgroundlesspretensions。

  Sothathereagaintheruleholdsgood;andthatdegreeofself-estimationwhichcontributesmosttothehappinessandcontentmentofthepersonhimself,islikewisethatwhichmostcommendsitselftotheapprobationoftheimpartialspectator。

  Itremains,then,todrawsomeconcludingcomparisonsbetweenthevirtuesofSelf-commandandthethreeprimaryvirtuesPrudence,Justice,andBenevolence。

  Thevirtuesofself-commandarealmostentirelyrecommendedtousbythesenseofpropriety,byregardtothesentimentsofthesupposedimpartialspectator;whilstthevirtuesofprudence,justiceandbenevolence,arechieflyrecommendedtousbyconcernforourownhappinessorthehappinessofotherpeople。Theyarerecommendedtousprimarilybyourselfishorbenevolentaffections,independentlyofanyregardastowhatareoroughttobethesentimentsofotherpeople。Suchregardindeedcomeslatertoenforcetheirpractice;andnomanevertrodsteadilyintheirpathswhoseconductwasnotprincipallydirectedbyaregardtothesentimentsofthesup-posedimpartialspectator,thegreatinmateofthebreastandarbiterofourconduct。Butregardforthesentimentsofotherpeopleconstitutestheveryfoundationofthevirtuesofself-restraint,andisthesoleprinciplethatcanmoderateourpassionstothatdegreewherethespectatorwillgivehisapproval。

  Anotherdifferenceis,thatwhileregardtothebeneficialeffectsofprudence,justice,andbenevolencerecommendthemoriginallytotheagentandafterwardstothespectator,nosuchsenseoftheirutilityaddsitselftooursenseoftheproprietyofthevirtuesofself-command。Theireffectsmaybeagreeableorthecontrary,withoutaffectingtheapprobationbestowedonthem。Valourdisplayedinthecauseofjusticeislovedandadmired,butinthecauseofinjusticeitisstillregardedwithsomeapprobation。

  Inthat,asinalltheothervirtuesofself-command,itisthegreatnessandsteadinessoftheexertion,andthestrongsenseofproprietynecessarytomaintainthatexertion,whichisthesourceofadmiration。Theeffectsareoftenonlytoolittleregarded。

  CHAPTERX。ADAMSMITH\'STHEORYOFHAPPINESS。

  AlthoughAdamSmithneverdistinctlyfacestheproblemofthesupremeendoflife,noraskshimselfwhethervirtueandmoralityaremerelymeanstotheattainmentofhappiness,orwhethertheyareendsinthemselvesirrespectiveofhappiness,heleaveslittledoubtthathappinessreallyoccupiesinhissystemverymuchthesameplacethatitdoesinthesystemsofprofessedutilitarians。Buthedistinguishesbetweenhappinessasthenaturalresultofvirtueandhappinessastheendorpurposeofvirtue;

  and,bysatisfyinghimselfthatitisthenaturalresult,hesaveshimselffromconsideringwhether,if\'itwerenot,virtuewouldremaininandforitselfdesirableasanend。

  \"Thehappinessofmankind,\"hesays,\"aswellasofallotherrationalcreatures,seemstohavebeentheoriginalpurposeoftheAuthorofNature,\"

  nootherendappearingtobeworthyofHissupremewisdomandbeneficence。

  Thefactthereforethatwemosteffectuallypromotethehappinessofmankind,andsotosomeextentpromotethegreatplanofProvidencebyactingaccordingtothedictatesofourmoralfaculties,isanadditionalreason,thoughnottheprimaryone,forourdoingso;and,conversely,thetendencyofanoppositecourseofconducttoobstructtheschemethusordainedforthehappinessoftheworld,isanadditionalreasonforabstainingfromit。Accordingly,theultimatesanctionofourcompliancewiththerulesforthepromotionofhumanwelfaretheultimatesanction,thatis,ofvirtueliesinasystemoffuturerewardsandpunishments,bywhichourco-operationwiththedivineplanmaybeenforced。

  Tothisextent,therefore,AdamSmithseemstoagreewiththeutilitarianismofPaleyinmakingthehappinessofanotherworldtheultimatemotiveforvirtuousactioninthis。Butalthoughbethusappealstoreligionasenforcingthesenseofduty,heisfarfromregardingmoralityasonlyvaluableforthatreason。Heprotestsagainstthetheorythat\"weoughtnottobegratefulfromgratitude,weoughtnottobecharitablefromhumanity,weoughtnottobepublic-spiritedfromtheloveofourcountry,norgenerousandjustfromtheloveofmankind,andthatoursolemotiveinperformingthesedutiesshouldbeasensethatGodhascommandedthem。\"

  Hencewhenhespeaksoftheperfectionandhappinessofmankindas\"thegreatend\"aimedatbynature,itisclearthatheintendsthetemporalandgeneralwelfareof\'theworld,andthat,thoughthehappinessofanothermaybeamotivetovirtue,itisnotsomuchtheendandobjectofitashappinessinthis。Itisinthislife,also,thatvirtueandhappiness,viceandmisery,arecloselyassociated;andnaturemayberegardedashavingpurposelybestowedoneveryvirtueandvicethatpreciserewardorpunishmentwhichisbestfittedeithertoencouragetheoneortorestraintheother。Thustherewardattachedtoindustryandprudencenamely,successineverysortofbusinessispreciselythatwhichisbestcalculatedtoencouragethosevirtues,justasinthesamewayandforthesamereasonthereisattachedtothepracticeoftruth,justice,andhumanity,theconfidenceandesteemofthosewelivewith。Itrequiresindeedaveryextraordinaryconcurrenceofcircumstancestodefeatthosenaturalandtemporalrewardsorpunishmentsforvirtueorvice,whichhavebeenfixedinthesentimentsandopinionsofmankind。

  AdamSmithdoesnotthenregardvirtueentirelyasitsownend,irrespectiveofitsrecompenceintheincreaseofourhappiness。Stillless,however,doesheacknowledgethecardinaldoctrineoftheutilitarianschool,thatvirtuederivesitswholeandsolemeritfromitsconducivenesstothegeneralwelfareofhumanity。HetakesupasortofmiddlegroundbetweentheEpicureantheory,thatvirtueisgoodasameanstohappinessastheend,andthetheoryoftheStoics,thatvirtueisanendinitselfindependentlyofhappiness。Thepracticeofvirtue,hewouldhavesaid,isameanstohappiness,andhasbeensorelatedtoitbynature;butithas,nevertheless,priorclaimsofitsown,quiteapartfromallreferencetoitseffectuponourwelfare。

  ThereislittleattemptonthepartofourauthoratanyscientificanalysisofhumanhappinesslikethatattemptedbyAristotle,andinmoderntimesbyHutchesonorBentham。ButifwetakeAristotle\'sclassificationofthethreeprincipalclassesoflivesasindicativeofthethreemainideasofhumanhappinesscurrentintheworld,namely,thelifeofpleasure,thelifeofambition,andthelifeofcontemplationandknow-ledge,thereisnodoubtunderwhichofthesethreetypesAdamSmithwouldhavesoughtthenearestapproximationtoearthlyfelicity。

  Thelifeofpleasure,orthatidealoflifewhichseekshappinessinthegratificationofsensualenjoyment,herejectsratherbyim-plicationthanotherwise,bynottreatingitasworthyofdiscussionatall。Buthisrejectionofthelifeofambitionisofmoreinterest,bothbecauseheconstantlyrecurstoit,andbecauseitseemstoexpresshisowngeneralphilosophyoflifeandtocontainthekeytohisownpersonalcharacter。

  Happiness,hesays,consistsintranquillityandenjoyment。Withouttranquillitytherecannobeenjoyment,andwithtranquillitythereisscarcelyanythingbutmayproveasourceofpleasure。HencetheStoicsweresofarright,inthattheymaintainedthatasbetweenonepermanentsituationandanothertherewasbutlittledifferencewithregardtorealhappiness;andthegreatsourceofallhumanmiseryisourconstanttendencytooverratethedifferencebetweensuchsituations。Thusavariceoverratesthedifferencebetweenpovertyandwealth,ambitionthatbetweenpublicandprivatelife,vain-glorythatbetweenobscurityandrenown。\"Ineaseofbodyandpeaceofmindallthedifferentranksoflifearenearlyonalevel,andthebeggarwhosunshimselfbythesideofthehighwaypossessesthatsecuritywhichkingsarefightingfor。\"

  Thestory,therefore,ofwhatthefavouriteofthekingofEpirussaidtohismasteradmitsofgeneralapplicationtomeninnilthesituationsofhumanlife。WhenPyrrhushadrecountedallhisintendedconquests,Cincasaskedhim,\"Whatdoesyourmajestyproposetodothen?\"\"Ipropose,\"saidtheking,\"toenjoymyselfwithmyfriends,andendeavourtobegoodcompanyoverabottle。\"Andtheanswerwas,\"Whathindersyourmajestyfromdoingsonow?\"

点击下载App,搜索"Adam Smith",免费读到尾