David Hume Quotes

A collection of quotes by David Hume.

David Hume (1711-1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known for his influential contributions to empiricism and skepticism during the Enlightenment era. Born into a modest merchant family in Edinburgh, Scotland, Hume's early education was conducted at home until he enrolled in the University of Edinburgh at the age of 11. However, he ultimately abandoned his pursuit of a degree to focus on reading and independent study.

Hume's philosophical ideas challenged prevailing notions about human knowledge and perception. His major work, "A Treatise of Human Nature," published in three volumes between 1739 and 1740, explored the limitations of human understanding and argued that knowledge of the world can only be gained through experience. Hume's theory of causation and skepticism towards religious beliefs also made him a controversial figure during his time.

Besides his philosophical contributions, Hume also made significant contributions to the fields of history and economics. His "History of England," a six-volume work published between 1754 and 1762, provided a comprehensive account of British history. Hume's economic ideas focused on the importance of commerce and free trade, prefiguring later theories of classical economics.

Despite facing criticism during his lifetime, Hume's ideas had a lasting impact on subsequent philosophers and thinkers. His emphasis on empiricism and skepticism helped shape the development of Western philosophical thought, leaving a legacy that continues to be influential to this day. Hume died in Edinburgh in 1776, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to be studied and debated.

Men often act knowingly against their interest.

Men often act knowingly against their interest.

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous tho

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous those in philosophy only ridiculous.

Any person seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections o

Any person seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections of natural reason, will fly to revealed truth with the greatest avidity.

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

The great end of all human industry, is the attainment of ha

The great end of all human industry, is the attainment of happiness. For this were arts invented, sciences cultivated, laws ordained, and societies modelled, by the most profound wisdom of patriots and legislators.

Wisdom Life Art Happiness Science Theend

No man ever threw away life while it was worth keeping.

No man ever threw away life while it was worth keeping.

Life Death Truth Strength Inspirational Suicide Optimism Endurance Joy

No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless th

No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish

Reality Truth Miracles

When anyone tells me that he saw a dead man restored to life

When anyone tells me that he saw a dead man restored to life, I immediately consider with myself whether it be more probable that this person should either deceive or be deceived or that the fact which he relates should really have happened. I weigh the one miracle against the other and according to the superiority which I discover, I pronounce my decision. Always I reject the greater miracle. If the falsehood of his testimony would be more miraculous than the event which he relates, then and not till then, can he pretend to command my belief or opinion.

Religion Science Miracles Skepticism

Any person seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections o

Any person seasoned with a just sense of the imperfections of natural reason, will fly to revealed truth with the greatest avidity

But though there be naturally a wide difference in point of

But though there be naturally a wide difference in point of delicacy between one person and another, nothing tends further to encrease and improve this talent, than practice in a particular art, and the frequent survey or contemplation of a particular species of beauty.

Art Beauty Talent

Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been hi

Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been hitherto the most neglected.

Nature Science Man Humannature

Beauty is no quality in things themselves: it exists merely

Beauty is no quality in things themselves: it exists merely in the mind which contemplates them

Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly tha

Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived.

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In vain would we exalt the one by depreciating the other.

The Christian religion not only was at first attended with m

The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one.

This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for o

This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal, and directly destructive of society.

Every wise, just, and mild government, by rendering the cond

Every wise, just, and mild government, by rendering the condition of its subjects easy and secure, will always abound most in people, as well as in commodities and riches.

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the goo

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

When men are the most sure and arrogant they are commonly th

When men are the most sure and arrogant they are commonly the most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation and suspense which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.

A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said

A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century.