Every man Quote by David Hume
““It is, therefore, a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
The quote suggests that, for political fairness, we should assume everyone is self‑interested and possibly deceitful.
In simple terms: Assume people act selfishly in politics.
Key Takeaway
Treat others as potentially untrustworthy.
Themes
politics
trust
human nature
Mood
cautious
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
advisory
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- diplomacy
- negotiations
- public policy
- leadership
Key Concepts
social contract
skepticism
rationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance skepticism with trust in governance?
- When is it prudent to assume good faith?
A Different Perspective
Assuming universal knavery can erode cooperation and morale.
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