Belief Quote by David Hume
“When I think of God, when I think of him as existent, and when I believe him to be existent, my idea of him neither increases nordiminishes. But as it is certain there is a great difference betwixt the simple conception of the existence of an object, and the belief of it, and as this difference lies not in the parts or composition of the idea which we conceive; it follows, that it must lie in the manner in which we conceive it.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
The way we think about God’s existence depends on how we conceive the concept, not just on belief; the mental process shapes the idea.
In simple terms: Our mental framing of a concept changes its perceived reality.
Key Takeaway
Reflect on how you form concepts of abstract ideas.
Themes
epistemology
philosophy
theology
concept formation
belief
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theoretical
reflective
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- philosophical discussion
- personal reflection
- academic study
- cognitive analysis
Key Concepts
Ideas
perception
mental representation
abstraction
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your mental framing shape belief?
- Can concept formation change theological conclusions?
A Different Perspective
Conceptual differences may not resolve existential questions; personal belief varies.
![“God is a conjecture; but I desire that your conjectures should be limited by what is thinkable. Can you think a god? [...] You should think through your own senses to their consequences.” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86d/friedrich-nietzsche-15_think_god-is-a-conjecture-but-i-desire-that-yo_465893.jpg)
