《道德情操论·卷二·论功劳与过失·二之二·论正义感、悔恨感与功劳意识》第4节
The opposite behaviour naturally inspires the opposite sentiment. The man who, not from frivolous fancy, but from proper motives, has performed a generous action, when he looks forward to those whom he has served, feels himself to be the natural object of their love and gratitude, and, by sympathy with them, of the esteem and approbation of all mankind. And when he looks backward to the motive from which he acted, and surveys it in the light in which the indifferent spectator will survey it, he still continues to enter into it, and applauds himself by sympathy with the approbation of this supposed impartial judge. In both these points of view his own conduct appears to him every way agreeable. His mind, at the thought of it, is filled with cheerfulness, serenity, and composure. He is in friendship and harmony with all mankind, and looks upon his fellow-creatures with confidence and benevolent satisfaction, secure that he has rendered himself worthy of their most favourable regards. In the combination of all these sentiments consists the consciousness of merit, or of deserved reward.
注释摘要
斯密在这一段里描绘的是悔恨的反面：一个出于正当动机、做出慷慨行为的人，怎样通过双重同情获得内心的宁静与和谐。前面他刚刚以浓重的笔触刻画了犯罪者被悔恨吞噬的心理状态——羞耻、恐惧、自我憎恶、在人前抬不起头。现在他翻转画面，拿出道德情感的另一个极端。这不是在说教，而是在完成一种对照性的道德心理学分析。 慷慨行为者的内心过程分两步走。他先向前看，看向他帮助过的人…