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No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless…

“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.” quote by David Hume
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“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.”

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.

Miracles require evidence so extraordinary that its falseness would be more miraculous than the claimed event.

In simple terms: Extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence.

Key Takeaway

Demand strong proof for extraordinary claims.

Themes

skepticism evidence philosophy

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical skeptical

When to use this quote

  • scientific claims
  • religious miracles
  • historical anecdotes

Key Concepts

Epistemology probability critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you assess extraordinary claims?
  • What standards of proof are acceptable?
A Different Perspective

Evidence may never be fully conclusive.

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