Q0474
“Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely.” — Adam Smith (The Theory of Moral Sentiments)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Theme: love.
English
Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to The Theory of Moral Sentiments and files it under Scottish Enlightenment. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Adam Smith
Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a Scottish moral philosopher and political economist of the Enlightenment, professor at Glasgow and friend of Hume. The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) precedes The Wealth of Nations (1776), which analyzes markets, division of labor, and commercial society.
How to read this passage
Greek distinctions among eros, philia, and agape, Confucian relational ethics, and modern debates about romantic love keep the theme philosophically precise rather than merely sentimental. This passage enters that discussion through love, character.
Concepts in this quote
- Love
- Love in philosophy ranges from friendship and desire to care, justice, and the transformation of the self.
- Character
- Character appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat character as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Adam Smith. (n.d.). Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0474
MLA: Adam Smith. “Man naturally desires, not only to be loved,….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0474.
Chicago: Adam Smith. “Man naturally desires, not only to be loved,….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0474.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Man naturally desires, not only to be loved,…”?
The passage is attributed to Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments. The archive attributes this English wording to The Theory of Moral Sentiments and files it under Scottish Enlightenment. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Adam Smith mean by love?
Greek distinctions among eros, philia, and agape, Confucian relational ethics, and modern debates about romantic love keep the theme philosophically precise rather than merely sentimental. This passage enters that discussion through love, character.