《道德情操论·卷二·论功劳与过失·三·总论命运对人们情感的影响》第2节
But how well soever we may seem to be persuaded of the truth of this equitable maxim, when we consider it after this manner, in abstract, yet when we come to particular cases, the actual consequences which happen to proceed from any action, have a very great effect upon our sentiments concerning its merit or demerit, and almost always either enhance or diminish our sense of both. Scarce, in any one instance, perhaps, will our sentiments be found, after examination, to be entirely regulated by this rule, which we all acknowledge ought entirely to regulate them. This irregularity of sentiment, which every body feels, which scarce any body is sufficiently aware of, and which nobody is willing to acknowledge, I proceed now to explain; and I shall consider, first, the cause which gives occasion to it, or the mechanism by which Nature produces it; secondly, the extent of its influence; and, last of all, the end which it answers, or the purpose which the Author of nature seems to have intended by it.
注释摘要
斯密在这一段里完成了一个非常微妙的论证转折。他刚刚在上一段确立了一个几乎所有人都点头称是的抽象原则：行动的道德价值归根结底取决于内心的意图，取决于动机是否合宜、用心是否良善，而不是外在的动作或实际发生的后果。谁都会同意，一个开枪的人，他的外在动作——扣动扳机——不论打死的是鸟还是人，那个动作本身没什么区别；至于后果是射偏了还是正中目标，那更不是行为者本人能…