# Section IV: Of Natural Abilities explained — A Treatise of Human Nature > Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume. ## What happens Hume argues that natural abilities, such as good sense, wit, and memory, are not fundamentally different from moral virtues. Both are mental qualities that produce pleasure and gain esteem. He challenges the distinction based on voluntariness, noting that many moral virtues are equally involuntary. He also explores how the utility and agreeableness of these qualities, along with the importance they confer, generate approbation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Morality as Sentiment Hume argues that moral distinctions arise from the natural feelings of pleasure and pain, and that natural abilities produce approbation through similar sentiments. ### Sympathy and Social Influence The esteem for natural abilities is explained through sympathy with their utility and the pleasure they bring to others. ### Custom and General Rules The decorum of qualities depends on experience and customary connections, such as gravity being associated with age. ## Character check-ins ### David Hume Author and narrator, presenting arguments on natural abilities. ### Julius Caesar Mentioned as an example of a virtuous character, contrasting with Cato. ### Cyrus Referenced in the context of historical figures whose importance and actions affect many. ## Key lines > No distinction is more usual in all systems of ethics, than that betwixt natural abilities and moral virtues; where the former are placed on the same footing with bodily endowments, and are supposed to have no merit or moral worth annexed to them. It's common in ethical theories to separate natural talents from moral virtues, treating talents like physical traits with no moral value. _Hume sets up the common view he intends to challenge._ > They are both of them equally mental qualities: And both of them equally produce pleasure; and have of course an equal tendency to procure the love and esteem of mankind. Both natural abilities and moral virtues are mental traits that bring pleasure and thus earn people's affection and respect. _Hume argues for the similarity between the two categories._ > Those, who represent the distinction betwixt natural abilities and moral virtues as very material, may say, that the former are entirely involuntary, and have therefore no merit attending them, as having no dependence on liberty and free-will. Some argue that natural abilities are involuntary and thus lack merit because they don't involve free will. _Hume addresses the objection based on voluntariness._ > The same theory accounts for the esteem and regard we pay to men of extraordinary parts and abilities. The good and ill of multitudes are connected with their actions. Our respect for people with exceptional talents comes from the fact that their actions affect many others, making them important. _Hume explains esteem for abilities through their impact on others._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/section-iv-of-natural-abilities - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters