# Of the Unsocial Passions explained — The Theory of Moral Sentiments > Chapter companion for The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith. ## What happens Smith examines hatred and resentment as unsocial passions that require significant moderation to become socially acceptable. He argues that these passions are naturally disagreeable because they divide our sympathy between the person feeling them and the person they are directed against. To be proper, resentment must be tempered by magnanimity and a regard for the impartial spectator, expressed with restraint and only in response to serious provocations. Smith contrasts these passions with social ones like joy and gratitude, noting that anger and hatred are harsh, discordant, and destructive to both the individual and society, yet they serve a necessary function as guardians of justice when properly regulated. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Impartial Spectator Smith emphasizes consulting the sentiments of the cool and impartial spectator to regulate resentment and ensure propriety. ### Virtue as Propriety and Self-Command The chapter highlights magnanimity and self-command as essential for ennobling the expression of unsocial passions like anger and resentment. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. John Smith Referenced as the authorial voice discussing the nature of unsocial passions and the role of the impartial spectator. ## Key lines > Magnanimity, or a regard to maintain our own rank and dignity in society, is the only motive which can ennoble the expressions of this disagreeable passion. Only a concern for preserving one's social standing and dignity can make the expression of resentment seem noble and proper. _Smith argues that resentment must be motivated by a sense of propriety and social duty, not by raw emotion._ > There is no passion, of which the human mind is capable, concerning whose justness we ought to be so doubtful, concerning whose indulgence we ought so carefully to consult our natural sense of propriety, or so diligently to consider what will be the sentiments of the cool and impartial spectator. No other passion requires us to be as cautious about its justification or as careful to align it with the judgment of an impartial observer as resentment does. _Smith underscores the need for self-reflection and external moral standards when dealing with unsocial passions._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/iii-of-the-unsocial-passions - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters