This book is phenomenal! It reviews and distills Adam Smith's first book, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments." I never knew he had written such a book. This first book of Smith's iterates how wealth and fame do not assure happiness, but rather, being prudent and lovely will lead to happiness. Toward the end of the book, I started listing the people to whom I would give this book. I borrowed this book from the library, but I like it so much I am going to purchase it so I can read it again in the future - it is that good. ( )

This was a very good book that helps define what it is to lead a good life. Highly recommended. ( )

Did not finish, this felt repetitive by chapter 5. Printing the exact same quote twice on adjoining pages felt like filler. ( )

This is all you need to know.

"To be content, you need to be loved and to be lovely."

There are two ways to be loved. You can be rich and famous. Or you can be wise and virtuous.

Choose the second way, Smith counsels, the way of wisdom and virtue.

Why need Adam Smith when religious traditions give the same response?

I know -- Secular people would pay attention to what Russ Roberts has to say about Adam Smith.

However, if response came from any of the religious tradition, it is not palatable.

Don't read this book, if you have read enough in religious tradition, philosophy.

Basically, literature from Religious Tradition would offer the same.

Russ basically repackages it into Secular, shiny book.

If you want to Analyze Moral Philosophy, dive into Adam Smith's other works.

If you have never read a book in your life, go ahead.

Rich & Famous, sounds like lot of trouble and complexity in life.

Religious Tradition: Hinduism, Islamic, Buddhism, Jain, Christian tradition offer solid content.

Good luck handling it.

Overall, I'd say, Not Worth your Time, read religious literature for this

Deus Vult,
Gottfried ( )

Adam Smith is mostly known for his economics book, "The Wealth of Nations," and those who know of his work "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" usually don't appreciate that it is (as the blurb on Roberts' book says) "the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read."
Roberts quotes extensively from Smith, but interprets the 18th-century rhetoric for modern readers, and gives context and subtext to explain Smith's thoughts and admonitions. ( )