Altruism Quote by Adam Smith
“How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”
About This Quote
Humans possess innate social instincts that make others' well‑being relevant to them, even without direct benefit.
In simple terms: Innate social concern
Key Takeaway
Self‑interest coexists with empathy
Themes
social nature
moral psychology
human motivation
altruism
interdependence
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- community building
- team collaboration
- leadership
- philanthropy
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
empathy
self‑interest
social cohesion
Practical Applications
- designing cooperative incentives
- crafting public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance personal gain with collective welfare?
- What mechanisms amplify innate empathy?
