Adam Smith on Loving Others

Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, was a philosopher and economist who wrote about many important topics in his day. One topic…

Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, was a philosopher and economist who wrote about many important topics in his day. One topic that is often overlooked is Adam Smith’s thoughts on being lovely to others. Smith wrote at length about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect and the rewards from such behaviour. Let’s take a closer look at what he had to say.

The Benefits of Being Lovely
Adam Smith believed that being kind and considerate towards others brought great rewards. He argued that when we act lovingly towards others, we are rewarded with joy, satisfaction, and contentment. In other words, when you act kindly towards others, you will receive positive feedback from those around you — and this can be incredibly rewarding. The idea was further expressed in his book The Theory of Moral Sentiments where he stated: “No other passion appears so powerful in regulating our conduct as the love of praise-worthiness; and no other motive has so great influence in exciting us to the practice of those virtues which seem most immediately agreeable to it.”

Smith also argued that being loving towards others was a meaningful way to build relationships with them. He wrote: “The most amiable quality in any person is a certain degree of benevolence or kindness towards persons he does not even know.” In other words, it’s important not only to show kindness to those close to us but also to those who are strangers; by doing so, we have the chance to create relationships with people we may never have met otherwise.

Being Lovely Leads To Success 
Adam Smith believed that showing love toward others could lead to success. He wrote: “It is through their own love of advantage only that men can ever be induced either to serve or obey another”. In other words, by showing care for others and helping them out when they need it — even if there isn’t an immediate benefit for us — we are more likely to be successful in achieving our own goals. Furthermore, Smith argued that being generous could lead us down paths we never expected; he said: “By giving good advice…by moderating passions…or by direct assistance”, we can help individuals reach their goals faster than if they were on their own. By aiding those around us, we can create positive relationships with them and open up new opportunities for ourselves.

Adam Smith’s thoughts on being lovely still ring true today — showing love toward others helps us find joy within ourselves while creating meaningful connections with the people around us. Additionally, by aiding those around us without expecting anything in return, we open ourselves up to more significant opportunities than if we were going it alone. So next time you’re feeling down or need a reminder of why it’s important to show kindness towards others, remember these wise words from Adam Smith!