Contradiction Quote by David Hume
““The confusion, in which impressions are sometimes involved, proceeds only from their faintness and unsteadiness, not from any capacity in the mind to receive any impression, which in its real existence has no particular degree nor proportion. That is a contradiction in terms; and even implies the flattest of all contradictions, viz. that it is possible for the same thing both to be and not to be.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
Our minds can hold contradictory ideas because impressions are weak and unstable, not because the mind cannot receive them.
In simple terms: Contradictions arise from vague impressions.
Key Takeaway
Clarify impressions to avoid contradictions.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
logic
mind
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- critical thinking
- academic debate
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
contradiction
perception
cognitive clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes an impression weak?
- How can we test the stability of our ideas?
A Different Perspective
Even clear impressions can be misleading; context matters.
