Affair Quote by David Hume
“There is an inconvenience which attends all abstruse reasoning. that it may silence, without convincing an antagonist, and requires the same intense study to make us sensible of its force, that was at first requisite for its invention. When we leave our closet, and engage in the common affairs of life, its conclusions seem to vanish, like the phantoms of the night on the appearance of the morning; and 'tis difficult for us to retain even that conviction, which we had attain'd with difficulty.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Treatise of Human Nature, 1739
Complex abstract reasoning can be persuasive yet hard to apply in everyday life, often losing its impact outside scholarly study.
In simple terms: Abstract ideas lose force in daily life.
Key Takeaway
Bridge theory and practice.
Themes
philosophy
reasoning
abstraction
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- teaching
- public speaking
- decision making
Key Concepts
Epistemology
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make abstract concepts relatable?
- What daily situations reveal hidden assumptions?
A Different Perspective
Complex ideas may be misunderstood without clear examples.
