If we confine ourselves to a general and distant reflection on the ills of human life, that can have no effect to… — David Hume Copy Share Image
In all the events of life, we ought still to preserve our scepticism. If we believe that fire warms, or water refreshes,… — David Hume Copy Share Image
The mention of one apartment in a building naturally introduces an enquiry or discourse concerning the others: and if we think ofa… — David Hume Copy Share Image
It forms a strong presumption against all supernatural and miraculous relations, that they are observed chiefly to abound among ignorant and barbarous… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If the contemplation, even of inanimate beauty, is so delightful; if it ravishes the senses, even when the fair form is foreign… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Nothing can be more real, or concern us more, than our own sentiments of pleasure and uneasiness; and if these be favourable… — David Hume Copy Share Image
How could politics be a science, if laws and forms of government had not a uniform influence upon society? Where would be… — David Hume Copy Share Image
[The sceptic] must acknowledge, if he will acknowledge any thing, that all human life must perish, were his principles to prevail.All discourse,… — David Hume Copy Share Image
We can conceive a thinking being to have either many or few perceptions. Suppose the mind to be reduced even below the… — David Hume Copy Share Image
... if you insist that the inference is made by a chain of reasoning, I desire you to produce that reasoning. The… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Riches are valuable at all times, and to all men, because they always purchase pleasures such as men are accustomed to and… — David Hume Copy Share Image
There is an universal tendency among mankind to conceive all beings like themselves, and to transfer to every object, those qualities, with… — David Hume Copy Share Image
It is evident, from their method of propagation, that a couple of cats, in fifty years, would stock a whole kingdom; and… — David Hume Copy Share Image
A wise man's kingdom is his own breast: or, if he ever looks farther, it will only be to the judgment of… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Reasoning from the common course of nature, and without supposing any new interposition of the Supreme Cause, which ought always to be… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Nothing can be more unphilosophical than to be positive or dogmatical on any subject; and even if excessive scepticism could be maintained… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Such is the nature of novelty that where anything pleases it becomes doubly agreeable if new; but if it displeases, it is… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If refined sense, and exalted sense, be not so useful as common sense, their rarity, their novelty, and the nobleness of their… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If the religious spirit be ever mentioned in any historical narration, we are sure to meet afterwards with a detail of the… — David Hume Copy Share Image
I know with certainty, that [an honest man] is not to put his hand into the fire, and hold it there, till… — David Hume Copy Share Image
And though the philosopher may live remote from business, the genius of philosophy, if carefully cultivated by several, must gradually diffuse itself… — David Hume Copy Share Image
What is easy and obvious is never valued; and even what is in itself difficult, if we come to knowledge of it… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If God is omnipotent, omniscient and wholly good, whence evil? If God wills to prevent evil but cannot, then He is not… — David Hume Copy Share Image
But, historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, however specious these ideas of perfect equality may seem, they are really,… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Nothing is so convenient as a decisive argument ... which must at least silence the most arrogant bigotry and superstition, and free… — David Hume Copy Share Image
A too great disproportion among the citizens weakens any state. Every person, if possible, ought to enjoy the fruits of his labour,… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If nature has been frugal in her gifts and endowments, there is the more need of art to supply her defects. If… — David Hume Copy Share Image
All ills spring from some vice, either in ourselves or others; and even many of our diseases proceed from the same origin.… — David Hume Copy Share Image
In all determinations of morality, this circumstance of public utility is ever principally in view; and wherever disputes arise, either in philosophy… — David Hume Copy Share Image
And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism, along with a great degree of indolence, can justify this aversion to metaphysics. For… — David Hume Copy Share Image
The best taxes are such as are levied upon consumptions, especially those of luxury; because such taxes are least felt by the… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If suicide be supposed a crime, it is only cowardice can impel us to it. If it be no crime, both prudence… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If ... the past may be no Rule for the future, all Experience becomes useless and can give rise to no Inferences… — David Hume Copy Share Image
If morality had naturally no influence on human passions and actions, it were in vain to take such pains to inculcate it;… — David Hume Copy Share Image
..when, in my philosophical disquisitions, I deny a providence and a future state, I undermine not the foundations of society, but advance… — David Hume Copy Share Image
“It is impossible for us to think of any thing, which we have not antecedently felt, either by our external or internal senses.” — David Hume Copy Share Image
All morality depends upon our sentiments; and when any action or quality of the mind pleases us after a certain manner we say it… — David Hume Copy Share Image
And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism, along with a great degree of indolence, can justify this aversion to metaphysics. For if truth… — David Hume Copy Share Image
...virtue is attended by more peace of mind than vice, and meets with a more favourable reception from the world. I am sensible, that,… — David Hume Copy Share Image
That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation, that it will… — David Hume Copy Share Image
We may conclude, therefore, that, in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation… — David Hume Copy Share Image
The observation of human blindness and weakness is the result of all philosophy, and meets us at every turn, in spite of our endeavours… — David Hume Copy Share Image
The religious hypothesis, therefore, must be considered only as a particular method of accounting for the visible phenomena of the universe: but no just… — David Hume Copy Share Image
Manufacturers...gradually shift their places, leaving those countries and provinces which they have already enriched, and flying to others, whether they are allured by the… — David Hume Copy Share Image
We may observe that, in displaying the praises of any humane, beneficent man, there is one circumstance which never fails to be amply insisted… — David Hume Copy Share Image
“The most perfect happiness, surely, must arise from the contemplation of the most perfect object.” — David Hume Copy Share Image
![“[The sceptic] must acknowledge, if he will acknowledge any thing, that all human life must perish, were his principles to prevail.All discourse, all action would immediately cease, and men remain in a total lethargy, till the necessities of nature, unsatisfied, put an end to their miserable…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/218/david-hume-538_acknowledge_the-sceptic-must-acknowledge-if-he-will_122087.jpg)
![“I know with certainty, that [an honest man] is not to put his hand into the fire, and hold it there, till it be consumed: And thisevent, I think I can foretell with the same assurance, as that, if he throw himself out at the window, and meet with no obstruction, he will not remain a moment…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/164/david-hume-538_air_i-know-with-certainty-that-an-honest-man_2459313.jpg)
