《道德情操论·卷五·论习惯与风尚对道德情感的影响·二·论习惯与风尚对道德情感的影响》第12节
There is an obvious reason why custom should never pervert our sentiments with regard to the general style and character of conduct and behaviour, in the same degree as with regard to the propriety or unlawfulness of particular usages. There never can be any such custom. No society could subsist a moment, in which the usual strain of men's conduct and behaviour was of a piece with the horrible practice I have just now mentioned. Part VI.--Of the Character of Virtue. INTRODUCTION.--When we consider the character of any individual, we naturally view it under two different aspects; first, as it may affect his own happiness; and secondly, as it may affect that of other people.
注释摘要
这一段的论证任务很清楚：斯密在前面铺陈了大量关于习惯与风尚如何塑造道德情感的例证之后，此刻需要划定它们效力的边界。他做了两件事。第一件，是区分习惯的作用在两个层面上的深度不相等——它可以扭曲我们对某一项具体做法的判断，却无法真正败坏我们对行为总体品格的情感。第二件，是给出一个致命的事实作为理由：根本不可能形成那样的习惯，因为任何社会连片刻也维持不下去。 要…