《道德情操论·卷一·论行为的合宜性·一之四·承前·合宜的两种场合》第6节
Society and conversation, therefore, are the most powerful remedies for restoring the mind to its tranquillity, if, at any time, it has unfortunately lost it; as well as the best preservatives of that equal and {23} happy temper, which is so necessary to self-satisfaction and enjoyment. Men of retirement and speculation, who are apt to sit brooding at home over either grief or resentment, though they may often have more humanity, more generosity, and a nicer sense of honour, yet seldom possess that equality of temper which is so common among men of the world.
注释摘要
这一节结尾的这个段落，完成的是一个从同情机制推导到日常社交功能的论证。前面斯密花了很大篇幅说明，当我们的情感涉及自身利害时，旁观者与我们之间天然存在感受强度的落差：旁观者再怎么努力设想我们的处境，他们的同感也总是比我们实际的激情要弱一些、也变了味道。而我们为了获得他们能够跟得上的那种同感，就不得不把自己的激情降低到一个旁观者可以接纳的音高。斯密把这个双向的…