Barbarity Quote by David Hume
“Barbarity, caprice; these qualities, however nominally disguised, we may universally observe from the ruling character of the deity in all regular religions.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
Notes that even divine beings exhibit capriciousness and cruelty, similar to human rulers.
In simple terms: Gods can be capricious like humans.
Key Takeaway
Recognize flaws in authority figures.
Themes
theology
philosophy
ethics
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- religious discourse
- ethical debates
- leadership critique
Key Concepts
human nature
divine attributes
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this say about divine morality?
- How do we judge authority’s fairness?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may differ across cultures.
