Custom Quote by David Hume
“Custom, then, is the great guide of human life. It is that principle alone, which renders our experience useful to us, and makes us expect, for the future, a similar train of events with those which have appeared in the past.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
Custom guides human life by making past experiences predictable, shaping expectations for future events.
In simple terms: Custom makes life predictable by linking past and future.
Key Takeaway
Use customs to anticipate outcomes.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
habit
expectation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily routines
- business forecasting
- educational planning
- personal habit formation
Key Concepts
cognitive patterns
behavioral predictability
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance useful customs with creative flexibility?
- When might breaking custom be beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Custom may limit innovation; over‑reliance can stifle change.
