登陆注册
5451400000047

第47章

Similar thoughts arise with respect to the following passage, wherein Adam Smith contends, in words that seem a foretaste of the Wealth of Nations , that Nature leads us intentionally, by an illusion of the imagination, to the pursuit of riches. "It is well that Nature imposes upon us in this manner. It is this deception which rouses and keeps in continual motion the industry of mankind. It is this which first prompted them to cultivate the ground, to build houses, to found cities and commonwealths, and to invent and improve all the sciences and arts, which ennoble and embellish human life; which have entirely changed the whole face of the globe, have turned the rude forests of nature into agreeable and fertile plains, and made the trackless and barren ocean a new fund of subsistence, and the great high road of communication to the different nations of the earth .... It is to no purpose that the proud and unfeeling landlord views his extensive fields, and, without a thought for the wants of his brethren, in imagination consumes himself the whole harvest that grows upon them....

The capacity of his stomach bears no proportion to the immensity of his desires, and will receive no more than that of the meanest peasant. (7) The rest he is obliged to distribute among those who prepare, in the nicest manner, that little which he himself makes use of, among those who fit up the palace in which this little is to be consumed, among those who provide and keep in order all the different baubles and trinkets which are employed in the economy of greatness; all of whom thus derive from his luxury and caprice that share of the necessaries of life which they would in vain have expected from his humanity or his justice. The produce of the soil maintains at all times nearly that number of inhabitants which it is capable of maintaining. The rich only select from the heap what is most precious and agreeable. They consume little more than the poor; and in spite of their natural selfishness and rapacity, though they mean only their own conveniency, though the sole end which they propose from the labours of all the thousands whom they employ be the gratification of their own vain and insatiable desires, they divide with the poor the produce of all their improvements. They are led by an invisible hand to make nearly the same distribution of the necessaries of life which would have been made had the earth been divided into equal portions among all its inhabitants....

When Providence divided the earth among a few lordly masters, it neither forgot nor abandoned those who seemed to have been left out in the partition.

These last, too, enjoy their share of all that it produces. In what constitutes the real happiness of human life, they are in no respect inferior to those who would seem so much above them."Adam Smith applies the same argument to the condition of children. Nature, he maintains, has for the wisest purposes rendered parental tenderness in all or most men much stronger than filial affection. For the continuance of the species depends upon the former, not upon the latter; and whilst the existence and preservation of a child depends altogether on the care of its parents, the existence of the parents is quite independent of the child. In the Decalogue, though we are commanded to honour our fathers and mothers, there is no mention of love for our children, Nature having sufficiently provided for that. "In the eye of Nature, it would seem, a child is a more important object than an old man, and excites a much more lively as well as a more universal sympathy." Thus, again, with regard to the excessive credulity of children, and their disposition to believe whatever they are told, "nature seems to have judged it necessary for their preservation that they should, for some time at least, put implicit confidence in those to whom the care of their childhood, and of the earliest and most necessary parts of their education, is entrusted."The love of our country, again, is by nature endeared to us, not only by all our selfish, but by all our private benevolent affections; for in its welfare is comprehended our own, and that of all our friends and relations.

We do not therefore love our country merely as a part of the great society of mankind, but for its own sake, and independently of other considerations.

"That wisdom which contrived the system of human affections, as well as that of every other part of nature, seems to have judged that the interest of the great society of mankind would be best promoted by directing the principal attention of each individual to that particular portion of it which was most within the sphere both of his abilities and of his understanding."To sum up our author's application of his theory to his general scheme of ethics. Man, having been intended by nature for society, was fitted by her for that situation. Hence she endowed him with an original desire to please, and an original aversion to offend, his brethren. By teaching him to feel pleasure in their favourable, and pain in their unfavourable regards, she laid, in the reward of their approbation, or the punishment of their disapproval, the foundation of human ethics. In the respect which she has taught him to feel for their judgment and sentiments, she has raised in his mind a sense of Duty, and girt her laws for his conduct with the sanction of obligatory morality. And so happily has she adjusted the sentiments of approbation and disapprobation to the advantage both of the individual and of society, that it is precisely those qualities which are useful or advantageous to the individual himself, or to others, which are always accounted virtuous or the contrary.

CHAPTER XII.ADAM SMITH'S THEORY OF UTILITY.

同类推荐
  • 小品方

    小品方

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 乐郊私语

    乐郊私语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 六字神咒经

    六字神咒经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

    History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 送令狐尚书赴东都留

    送令狐尚书赴东都留

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 猎爱总裁

    猎爱总裁

    相恋六年的初恋男友结婚了,新娘却不是她。房子卖了,工作丢了,伤心之旅,竟因一句戏言莫明失身。激情过后随便拿个小小纪念品吧,却无辜被抓什么?一个纽扣居然要三百万?你是流氓啊?这回真是怨大了……好了,只能乖乖当她的贴身秘书,没薪金,包吃包住,也不算太坏。在公司,原以为是生疏的上司与下属关系,谁料他无事跑来抱抱亲亲。在家里,做饭打扫,甚至暖床都是她的职责范围。不得意任他泄欲也算了,竟还包括生宝宝?这总裁怎么搞的,再被他的催花手蹂躏下去,她今生铁定……可是,怎么她的心却心甘情愿地被他征服,身体更是在他面前溃不成军?乱了乱了,一切都乱套了……喜欢丫树文的可以加入群:雪儿:51356448(跟飘渺雪儿共用的群,已满)(新开群)74216121欢迎加入~~推荐自己的文文《浴火情狂》,连载中……推荐偶家飘渺雪儿的文《代嫁丫鬟》,连载中……推荐雪儿已完结文《血色守宫砂》,公众章节17万哦!http://m.wkkk.net/info/m.wkkk.net推荐雪儿已完结文《黑道教父的冷傲情妇》推荐雪儿已完结文《倾城笑》丫树的申明:丫树的文不是所有读者都喜欢看的,如果不喜欢的请直接绕道,留一个安静的阅读环境给大家!谢谢配合了!
  • 犯罪构成与刑事处罚

    犯罪构成与刑事处罚

    本书围绕刑法总则关于犯罪构成与刑事处罚这两大主题,分为两编进行了宣讲。两编主要依照刑法总则条文顺序,区分专题作问答式宣讲。每个专题分为宣讲要点、典型案例、专家评析、法条指引四个部分。宣讲要点重在回答基本概念、内容和把握原则,再以典型案例作示范,之后以专家评析作进一步讲解和说明,最后附以刑法条文和相关司法解释文件。需要特别说明,法条指引部分主要为节录式引用,以节约篇幅。
  • 过目不忘的记忆法

    过目不忘的记忆法

    《过目不忘的记忆法》通过讲解和生动的举例,对记忆的原理进行了详细解读,使读者可以快速了解记忆的种类,判断出自己的记忆类型、记忆等级,本书中,作者抛开繁杂深奥的理论,利用生活小故事层层激活你的大脑,带你突破记忆力极限,检测记忆训练效果,并在这个过程中找到适合自己的记忆方法。
  • 重生之小说巨匠

    重生之小说巨匠

    脑中被植入容量300G的小说U盘,重生与地球平行的位面,本着传播文化、娱乐大众的心态,他以笔做剑,挑动天下。【飞雪连天射白鹿,笑书神侠倚碧鸳。】“他是武侠界的真命天子,我等只好去扶桑国了。”【小李飞刀非绝响,人间又见楚留香。】“武侠未死,只是需要换个姿势。”《哈利波特》席卷天下,他被称为“魔法爸爸”;《无人生还》、《白夜行》、《达芬奇密码》横空出世,他是当之无愧的“推理之王”。当所有媒体都在猜测他将荣耀封笔的时候,他在稿纸上写下“老人与海”四个字……“凡是有人的地方,就有他的小说,无法想象文学界没有他会是何等的荒芜不堪。”——贝尔诺奖颁奖词
  • 1团的东方远征

    1团的东方远征

    一支罗马的军团在神秘的东方会有怎样的机遇?帝国的种子播撒在遥远的东方,他们会遭遇到什么?匈奴?西域?还是强盛的汉帝国?军团书友交流群:712137809
  • 中国现当代散文戏剧名作欣赏

    中国现当代散文戏剧名作欣赏

    《<名作欣赏>精华读本:中国现当代散文戏剧名作欣赏》选收的欣赏文章34篇。这些欣赏文章所涉及的现当代散文或为有较大影响,或为有较多争论,或为有某种突破。欣赏文章作者也考虑到身处的时代性,以增加欣赏角度的多元性。
  • 爱读书的孩子,不会变坏

    爱读书的孩子,不会变坏

    教育做不到的,就交给阅读!用一本书,柔软孩子的心。用一本书,燃起孩子的行动力。通过阅读,让孩子学会迎战未来的27种关键能力。人际关系、外表、友谊、爱情、挫折、自我与梦想,甚至网络发言等,这些课本没教,家庭也很少谈论,但却是我们的孩子每一刻都可能面对的困扰与问题。在阅读推广方面获奖无数的怡慧老师,不但以耐心、同理心去倾听孩子的心声,还陪伴孩子们一起面对困难和挫折。同时,她精选出300本足以让孩子、父母或师长阅读的好书。她希望在成长的路上,书会温暖陪伴孩子们,既为他们解惑,更能培养出未来所需的各种关键能力。
  • 肯·福莱特悬疑经典(共6册)

    肯·福莱特悬疑经典(共6册)

    《肯·福莱特悬疑经典》囊括了肯·福莱特6部经典作品:《大黄蜂奇航》、《针眼》、《危险的财富》、《寒鸦行动》、《鹰翼行动》和《突然亡命天涯》。《大黄蜂奇航》这部小说再次证明了—肯·福莱特是讲故事的天才!《针眼》构思巧妙,一旦读了开头,就忍不住要一口气读到结尾。《危险的财富》高潮迭起,犹如触电般的悬疑感!《寒鸦行动》特别具有画面感的悬疑故事,紧张刺激,这无疑是福莱特十分受欢迎的小说之一。《鹰翼行动》没有任何一个好莱坞编剧能够像肯·福莱特一样完美地讲述这次冒险。《突然亡命天涯》是肯·福莱特真正的杰作!只要读上三分钟,就会听到自己逐渐加速的心跳声。
  • 快穿之女主只想和你谈钱

    快穿之女主只想和你谈钱

    芊墨是万年难见的金钱妖,妖如其名,爱财如命。后来她被一只叫做“不做妖艳贱货”的系统绑定了。绑定系统时。系统:之后你要做出淤泥而不染的白莲花不能再爱钱了。芊墨:不,我不然后每个世界。芊墨:系统,他真他妈的帅!一颗鸽子蛋明晃晃地带在白皙修长的无名指上。系统:你怎么又嫁给了大佬???一直在和钱争宠爱但一直争不过的大佬男主vs外貌柔柔弱弱内心妖艳爱财女主
  • 代嫁丑娘

    代嫁丑娘

    因为她丑,所以不受家人的宠爱,本是嫡出的她常受庶出妹妹的欺负。因为她丑,所以指腹为婚俊美无比的心上人要让给集万千宠爱于一身的妹妹。因为她丑,所以要替嫁给那个杀人如麻的大魔头。因为她丑,所以可以不被别人尊重。因为她丑,所以要被剥夺做母亲的权利。因为她乖,所以在受到妹妹欺负的时候从不告状。因为她乖,所以心仪已久指腹为婚的人另娶她人,她也毫无怨言。因为她乖,所以嫁给杀人如麻的大魔头也默默忍受。因为她乖,所以尊严被践踏也毫不在乎。因为她乖,所以只因他不希望孩子生下来和她一样的丑而被迫流产。她的丑颜善良惊叹了何人又收复了几人?她的柔顺乖巧顺应了几人又感动了何人?片段1:“就凭你这副丑模样,还妄想嫁给天下第一公子沈玉廷,你简直是癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉,赶快回房不要出来吓人了!”“我不是妄想,这是我娘生前指腹为婚的!”“指腹为婚?你娘已经死了,谁还和你指腹为婚!就你这丑八怪的样子,不怕洞房的时候,把玉廷公子吓坏了吗?还是我做些好事代你嫁了吧!”“妹妹不是要嫁给‘雷残宫’的曲冰邪吗?”“谁要嫁给那个大魔头?”“那曲冰邪不是已经下了聘礼了吗?”“那就要有劳姐姐代为嫁给他了。”“为什么?”“因为我要嫁给沈玉廷,而姐姐自然就要嫁给曲冰邪了!”片段2:曲冰邪看着掀开盖头下一张惊慌的丑颜,立刻恼羞成怒,他上前抓住上官静莫的手,声音冰冷至极:“你是谁?”“我…我是上官静莫…”曲冰邪咬牙一笑,残忍的说道:“上官寻那个老东西敢用你来欺骗我?片段3:“喝下去!”曲冰邪把一碗黑乎乎的药汁递到了上官静莫的面前。上官静莫犹豫的接过药碗,满脸哀求的对曲冰邪说道:“我想留下这个孩子,求求你让我留下他(她)好吗?”“我不想让我的孩子生下来和你一样的丑!”无情的话语就这么直直的射了过来。上官静莫将药碗放于唇边,眼泪一滴,两滴,…滴滴掉落到碗中,她闭上眼睛无助的强压下涌上的呕吐感将满碗的药汁喝了下去。曲冰邪看着碗底见空才转身无情的走了出去。