The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Approbation is synonymous with approval. Describing man’s “desire” for his brethren’s approbation, Smith argues that “Nature, accordingly, has endowed him, not only with a desire of being approved of, but with a desire of being what ought to be approved of” (114-15). This desire for approbation helps us form moral judgments regarding our own conduct.

Beneficence is best understood as the inclination to do good deeds. Unlike justice, which is essential to a society’s peace and order, beneficence is “always free,” meaning that it “cannot be extorted by force” (81).

Justice amounts to a sacred regard for the interests of all. Unlike beneficence, justice “may be extorted by force,” for “the violation of justice is injury” (82). Furthermore, the “rules of justice are accurate in the highest degree, and admit of no exceptions or modifications,” which means they are both fixed and universal (82).