How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.

Adam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

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More information about this quote

Topic

Man as social animal Empathy Human nature

Author

Adam Smith

Source

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Opening lines

Language

English

Time

1759 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Philosopher Economist Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. London: Andrew Millar/Edinburgh: Alexander Kincaid and J. Bell, 1759, pt. 1, sect. 1, ch. 1.

Current Citation

Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Sentiments, edited by Ryan Patrick Hanley. Penguin, 2010, pt. 1, sect. 1, ch. 1.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1750s

The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Thomas Gray

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

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More information about this quote
Topic
Inevitability of death

Author

Thomas Gray
Source
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1751 1750s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Gray, Thomas. Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. London: Robert Dodsley, 1751.

Current Citation

Gray, Thomas. "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard." Elegy Written In Country Churchyard and Other Poems. Penguin Classics, 2009.

Another quote about Man as social animal

Please accept my resignation. I don't care to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.

Groucho Marx

More information about this quote
Topic
Social status Man as social animal

Author

Groucho Marx
Medium
Letter
Statement Type
Irony
Language
English
Time
1949 1940s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Marx, Groucho. Letter to President of Hollywood Club. c. 1949.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

I think, therefore I am.

René Descartes

Discourse on Method

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More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of man

Author

René Descartes
Source
Discourse on Method
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
French
Time
1637 1630s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Descartes, René [published anonymously]. Discours de la Méthode: Pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences [Discourse on Method: To Conduct Reason Well, and Seek Truth in the Sciences]. Leiden, 1637, pt. 4.

Current Citation

Descartes, René. Discourse on the Method, translated by Ian Maclean. Oxford University Press, 2008, pt. 4.

Another quote of the following type Opening lines

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.

Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita

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More information about this quote

Author

Vladimir Nabokov
Source
Lolita
Medium
Novel
Statement Type
Opening lines Assonance
Language
English
Time
1955 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Olympia Press, 1955, ch. 1.