AdamSmithalsodiffersfromHumenolessinhistheoryofthecauseofthebeautywhichresultsfromaperceptionofutilitythaninhistheoryoftheplaceassignabletoutilityintheprincipleofmoralapprobation。
AccordingtoHume，theutilityofanyobjectisasourceofpleasurefromitssuggestionoftheconveniencyitisintendedtopromote，fromitsfitnesstoproducetheendintendedbyit。AdamSmithmaintains，ratherbywayofsupplementthanofcontradiction，thatthefitnessofathingtoproduceitsend，orthehappyadjustmentofmeanstotheattainmentofanyconvenienceorpleasureisoftenmoreregardedthantheendorconvenienceitself，andhegivesseveralinstancestoillustratetheoperationofthisprinciple。
Forinstance，amancomingintohisroomandfindingallthechairsinthemiddle，willperhapsbeangrywithhisservantandtakethetroubletoplacethemallwiththeirbackstothewall，forthesakeofthegreaterconvenienceofhavingthefloorfreeanddisengaged。Butitismorethearrangementthantheconveniencewhichhereallycaresfor，sincetoattaintheconvenienceheputshimselftomoretroublethanhecouldhavesufferedfromthewantofit，seeingthatnothingwaseasierforhimthantohavesatdownatonceononeofthechairs，whichisprobablyallhedoeswhenhislabourisover。
Thesameprincipleappliestothepursuitofriches，undercircumstanceswhichimplymuchmoretroubleandvexationthanthepossessionofthemcaneverobviate。Thepoorman\'sson，cursedwithambition，whoadmirestheconvenienceofapalacetolivein，ofhorsestocarryhim，andofservantstowaitonhim，sacrificesarealtranquillityforacertainartificialandelegantreposehemayneverreach，tofindatlastthat\"wealthandgreatnessaremeretrinketsoffrivolousutility，nomoreadaptedforprocuringeaseofbodyortranquillityofmind，thanthetweezer-casesoftheloveroftoys。\"Indeed，thereisnootherrealdifferencebetweenthemthanthattheconveniencesof。theonearesomewhatmoreobservablethanthoseoftheother。Thepalaces，gardens，orequipageofthegreatareobjectsofwhichtheconveniencystrikeseveryone；theirutilityisobvious；andwereadilyenjoybysympathythesatisfactiontheyarefittedtoafford。
Buttheconveniencyofatoothpickorofanail-cutter，beinglessobvious，itislesseasytoenterintothesatisfactionoftheirpossessor。Theyarelessreasonableobjectsofvanitythanwealthandgreat-ness，andlesseffectuallygratifyman\'sloveofdistinction。Toamanwhohadtolivealoneonadesolateisland，itmightbeamatterofdoubt，\"whetherapalace，oracollectionofsuchsmallconveniencesasarecommonlycontainedinatweezer-case，wouldcontributemosttohishappinessandenjoyment。\"