He holds that the values ​​of natural pleasures are of greater value than those empty luxuries to which the "sensible knave" aspires. Earlier in his writings, Hume raises the issue that if a person were to act unethically by increasing his empty luxuries for selfish reasons, he would be stricken with guilt and destroy his own personal satisfaction. He states that self-satisfaction is one of the most important natural pleasures and is the accumulation of positive actions, integrity, and appreciation or respect for a person's neighbors. An example to apply the idea of ​​a "sensible scoundrel" is a person who steals money to spend on pleasures and empty objects. In this situation, Hume would argue that the scoundrel would not benefit from life's natural pleasures. The “sensible scoundrel” may not be able to enjoy these higher pleasures because of the self-serving agenda in which he is not interested in anything that does not provide him with a benefit. Hume argues that a person should act justly, without selfish motives, because this improves the quality of life by providing a deeper self-satisfaction than that found in a vacuum.