# Section V: Of Our Esteem for the Rich and Powerful explained — A Treatise of Human Nature > Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume. ## What happens Hume explores why we esteem the rich and powerful and despise the poor and mean. He considers three possible causes: the pleasure from agreeable objects, the expectation of advantage, and sympathy. He argues that sympathy is the chief and most powerful principle, as we enter into the sentiments of the possessor and share their satisfaction, which is then reflected back and amplified. This explains our esteem for riches even when we expect no personal benefit, and it extends to our appreciation of utility and beauty in objects. ## Themes in this chapter ### Sympathy and Social Influence Hume argues that sympathy is the primary mechanism by which we esteem the rich and powerful, as we enter into their satisfaction and share their emotions. ### Custom and General Rules Hume considers and rejects the explanation that general rules from past experience of advantage lead us to esteem the rich, because the uniformity required for such rules is lacking. ## Character check-ins ### David Hume Author and narrator, presenting his philosophical analysis of esteem for the rich and powerful. ### Mr. Philips Mentioned as the author of a poem on cider, illustrating that agreeable objects influence the imagination. ## Key lines > Nothing has a greater tendency to give us an esteem for any person, than his power and riches; or a contempt, than his poverty and meanness We naturally respect those with wealth and power, and look down on those who are poor and lowly. _Opening statement of the chapter, setting the topic._ > The minds of men are mirrors to one another, not only because they reflect each others emotions, but also because those rays of passions, sentiments and opinions may be often reverberated, and may decay away by insensible degrees. People's emotions are reflected and amplified through social interaction, like light bouncing between mirrors, until they fade. _Hume's metaphor for the social amplification of sentiments through sympathy._ > Let all the powers and elements of nature conspire to serve and obey one man: Let the sun rise and set at his command: The sea and rivers roll as he pleases, and the earth furnish spontaneously whatever may be useful or agreeable to him: He will still be miserable, till you give him some one person at least, with whom he may share his happiness, and whose esteem and friendship he may enjoy. Even if one person had absolute control over nature, they would still be unhappy without someone to share their joy and receive friendship from. _Illustrates the fundamental human need for society and sympathy._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/section-v-of-our-esteem-for-the-rich-and-powerful - 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