# Section III: Of the Effects of Prosperity and Adversity Upon the Judgment of Mankind with Regard to the Propriety of Action; and Why It Is More Easy to Obtain Their Approbation in the One State Than in the Other explained — The Theory of Moral Sentiments

> Chapter companion for The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

## What happens

This section examines how prosperity and adversity influence moral judgments, arguing that people are more likely to approve of actions in prosperous circumstances than in adverse ones, due to sympathy with joy and aversion to sorrow.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption of Moral Sentiments by Wealth and Rank

The chapter explores how prosperity biases moral judgment, making it easier to gain approbation in success than in adversity.

## Links

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