Benevolence is classified as an imperfect duty. Sympathy backs 18 th century British common sense. Sympathy plays a major role in Smith s thought, serving as a touchstone to resolve precise issues in the law of contracts and the law of property rights. Exactly which expectations of the parties are legitimate is determined by reference to the sympathies of a bystander who is not a party. Thus sympathy which on the surface appears to be a principle of morals akin to a love ethic, functions on an operative level as an appeal to the common sense norms of a commercial society.
Justice is redefined.
Smith s source for justice is neither Greek nor Hebrew. It is Roman Law. Justice means suum cuique to each his own. And pacta sunt servandum contracts are to be performed. Love moves to the periphery.