When anyone tells me that he saw a dead man restored to…
“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.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hume argues that extraordinary claims require equally extraordinary evidence; if a testimony seems more miraculous than the event itself, it should be doubted.
In simple terms: Extraordinary claims need strong evidence.
Key Takeaway
Question the plausibility of miraculous stories.
Themes
skepticism
evidence
miracles
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- legal testimony
- historical accounts
- religious claims
- scientific anomalies
Key Concepts
empiricism
probability
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would make a miraculous claim credible?
- How do we balance skepticism with open-mindedness?
A Different Perspective
If a claim is too improbable, it may be dismissed without thorough investigation.