# Cato — The Theory of Moral Sentiments character guide

> Cato in The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0058-section-iii-of-self-command

## Who they are

Roman Stoic senator cited as an example of virtue and self-command.

## Relationships

### [Seneca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/seneca)

_friendship_

Both are Stoic figures, with Cato representing the older, more austere tradition and Seneca the later, more practical one.

### [Scipio Nasica](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/scipio_nasica)

_friendship_

Cato and Scipio Nasica were Roman senators who shared political and moral ideals.

### [Turenne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/turenne)

_psychological_

Both are exemplars of military virtue and self-command, compared across eras.

## In the story

### [I: That Though Our Sympathy with Sorrow Is Generally a More Lively Sensation Than Our Sympathy with Joy, It Commonly Falls Much More Short of the Violence of What Is Naturally Felt by the Person Principally Concerned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-that-though-our-sympathy-with-sorrow-is-generally-a-more-lively-sensation-than-our-sympathy-with-joy-it-commonly-falls-much-more-short-of-the-violence-of-what-is-naturally-felt-by-the-person-principally-concerned)

Cited as an example of heroic magnanimity; his composure in the face of suicide is admired by spectators.

### [II: Of the Order in Which Societies Are by Nature Recommended to Our Beneficence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/ii-of-the-order-in-which-societies-are-by-nature-recommended-to-our-beneficence)

Cato the Elder is cited for his repeated declaration that 'Carthage ought to be destroyed,' exemplifying a savage patriotism rooted in national prejudice.

### [Of Those Systems Which Deduce the Principle of Approbation from Self-Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-those-systems-which-deduce-the-principle-of-approbation-from-self-love)

Used as an example of a virtuous character from a remote age, whose virtue is applauded without any direct benefit to the observer.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/cato
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters