# Seneca — The Theory of Moral Sentiments character guide

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

**Role:** minor

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

## Who they are

Roman Stoic philosopher referenced on virtue and self-command.

## Relationships

### [Cato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/characters/cato)

_friendship_

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

## 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)

Mentioned as a preacher of insensibility who praises Cato's fortitude as a spectacle for the gods.

### [Part III: Of the Foundation of Our Judgments Concerning Our Own Sentiments and Conduct, and of the Sense of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/part-iii-of-the-foundation-of-our-judgments-concerning-our-own-sentiments-and-conduct-and-of-the-sense-of-duty)

Cited in discussions of moral judgment and the role of the impartial spectator.

### [I: Of the Influence of Custom and Fashion Upon Our Notions of Beauty and Deformity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/i-of-the-influence-of-custom-and-fashion-upon-our-notions-of-beauty-and-deformity)

Accused by Quintilian of corrupting Roman taste by introducing a frivolous prettiness in place of majestic reason and masculine eloquence.

### [IV: Of Licentious Systems](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_theory_of_moral_sentiments_se/chapters/iv-of-licentious-systems)

Seneca, a Stoic, quotes Epicurus frequently, showing the influence of Epicurean ideas across philosophical sects.

## Links

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