Appearance Quote by David Hume
“We may conclude, therefore, that, in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which are, on the whole, most useful and beneficial.”
About This Quote
To devise property law, we must understand human nature, discard deceptive appearances, and seek rules that are broadly beneficial.
In simple terms: Law must reflect human nature and practicality.
Key Takeaway
Effective law stems from realistic human insight.
Themes
political philosophy
legal theory
human nature
pragmatism
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical statement
policy guidance
When to use this quote
- drafting legislation
- judicial interpretation
- policy analysis
- academic research
Key Concepts
property rights
law formation
human behavior
practical utility
Practical Applications
- legal drafting
- public policy design
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions about human nature underlie current property laws?
- How can we test whether a rule is truly beneficial?
![“...[W]e must admit that... law must be valid, not merely for men, but for all rational creatures generally, not merely under certain contingent conditions or with exceptions, but with absolute necessity...” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/97a/immanuel-kant-532_equality_w-e-must-admit-that-law-must-be-valid-no_1966909.jpg)
