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Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of…

“Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.” quote by David Hume
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“Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.”

David Hume

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often believe nonsense until they examine evidence, then they may still hold belief.

In simple terms: Belief persists despite scrutiny.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions critically.

Themes

skepticism belief evidence

Mood

analytical inquisitive

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • scientific research
  • media consumption
  • political discourse
  • personal decisions

Key Concepts

epistemology cognitive bias critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • What belief have you held without sufficient evidence?
  • How do you test the validity of new claims?
A Different Perspective

Evidence may be misinterpreted.

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