Contrary Quote by David Hume
“What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.”
About This Quote
The statement suggests that being useful is praised, while being useless invites criticism, highlighting the value placed on practicality.
In simple terms: Being useful earns praise; being useless draws criticism.
Key Takeaway
Strive to be useful in actions and contributions.
Themes
productivity
value
criticism
ethics
social expectation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
observational
When to use this quote
- career
- volunteering
- team projects
- personal development
- community service
Key Concepts
utility
moral judgment
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines usefulness in different contexts?
- Can being useless ever be valuable?
A Different Perspective
Not all contributions are measurable by utility alone.
![“For other great mathematicians or philosophers, he [Gauss] used the epithets magnus, or clarus, or clarissimus; for Newton alone he kept the prefix summus.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e97/anonymous-1_epithet_for-other-great-mathematicians-or-philos_222162.jpg)
