《道德情操论·卷二·论功劳与过失·三之三·论这种不规则性的终极原因》第5节
Notwithstanding, however, all these seeming irregularities of sentiment, if man should unfortunately either give occasion to those evils which he did not intend, or fail in producing that good which he intended, Nature has not left his innocence altogether without consolation, nor his virtue altogether without reward. He then calls to his assistance that just and equitable maxim, That those events which did not depend upon our conduct, ought not to diminish the esteem that is due to us. He summons up his whole magnanimity and firmness of {99} soul, and strives to regard himself, not in the light in which he at present appears, but in that in which he ought to appear, in which he would have appeared had his generous designs been crowned with success, and in which he would still appear, notwithstanding their miscarriage, if the sentiments of mankind were either altogether candid and equitable, or even perfectly consistent with themselves. The more candid and humane part of mankind entirely go along with the efforts which he thus makes to support himself in his own opinion. They exert their whole generosity and greatness of mind, to correct in themselves this irregularity of human nature, and endeavour to regard his unfortunate magnanimity in the same light in which, had it been successful, they would, without any such generous exertion, have naturally been disposed to consider it. Part III. Of the Foundation of our Judgments concerning our own Sentiments and Conduct, and of the Sense of Duty.
注释摘要
本段承接全节关于道德情感不规则性的大论述，在此处做了一个重要收束。斯密一直在讨论一个令人不安的事实：我们明知行为的结果并不完全由行动者控制，却仍然不由自主地根据成败来调整我们的赞赏或责备。这一不规则性贯穿于功劳与过失的判断之中。但到了这一段，他的笔锋转向了某种补偿机制——大自然并非只给了我们这种看似不公的倾向，同时也给了受挫者一条内心的出路。 他设想了两种…