It’s his “other classic”…the one that few in our modern times have ever read. Including most economists!
After all, how could Adam Smith, the “Patron Saint of Capitalism” have written a book dealing not with economics but with…self-help!?
Yet, the author of The Wealth of Nations did indeed write The Theory of Moral Sentiments. That book looked deeply into the connection between understanding human nature and how one can live a happy, peaceful and fulfilling life.
Fortunately, in Russ Roberts newest book, How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide To Human Nature And Happiness we are provided with insights into the brilliance of the 18th century Scottish philosopher. However, these have little to do with economics and everything to do with understanding life, ourselves, and others.
Roberts’ writing style is warm and friendly. He helps us understand these principles by combining Smith’s timeless wisdom with compelling, modern-day examples.
As shared previously, human nature is that we all seek happiness as we individually understand it, and within the available choices we perceive. Successful people do not deny human nature but rather respect and work within it. This means we must also take other people’s desires into consideration.
What are some of the many lessons we learn in this book that can help us to live a happier life based on Smith’s insights? Just a few include:
- While we are inherently self-interested, “we also care about other people’s happiness.”
- “Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be {worthy of being loved}.”
- Exactly why pursuing money for its own sake is much more likely to bring about sadness than one might even imagine.
- Why “Self-delusion is the source of half the disorders of human life.” And, how to most effectively guard against this.
- “Emotional interaction is a duet in which we are constantly fine-tuning our volume to match that of our fellow.” Yes, it turns out Smith was also a master of what today we would call Emotional Intelligence.
- The VERY counter-intuitive way to make the world a better place.
The author, Russ Roberts, hosts the very popular and award-winning weekly podcast, EconTalk. A Stanford University Hoover Institution Research Fellow, he has also written three economics novels. And, he co-created the amazing Keynes-Hayek rap videos which have been viewed over seven million times on YouTube.
My concern with writing book review posts for books I’ve fallen in love with is that I cannot possibly include everything deserved in this short a space. After all, there’s a reason it’s an entire book. So, if I may, let me just suggest that, if your goal is to learn about happiness, and from two of the brightest men I’ve had the pleasure of learning from, get this book.
I love books and love wisdom — rarely have I been touched this deeply by both!!
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Thanks for some more great wisdom, and a podcast to check out. Also a pleasure to read your thoughts and share out your posts. Have a great weekend everyone
Carly: Thank YOU. Always appreciating you!
Fantastic. What a great review.
Todd: Thank you for the book!!!!!