--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And indeed nothing but the most…" description: "\"And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism, along with a great degree of indolence, can justify this aversion to metaphysics. For if truth b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/david-hume-538_advantage_and-indeed-nothing-but-the-most-determin_30949.jpg" --- # And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism… ![“And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism, along with a great degree of indolence, can justify this aversion to metaphysics. For if truth be at all within the reach of human capacity, it is certain it must lie very deep and abstruse: and to hope we shall arrive at it without pains…” quote by David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/david-hume-538_advantage_and-indeed-nothing-but-the-most-determin_30949.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/david-hume-538_advantage_and-indeed-nothing-but-the-most-determin_30949.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/david-hume-538_advantage_and-indeed-nothing-but-the-most-determin_30949.jpg) > “And indeed nothing but the most determined scepticism, along with a great degree of indolence, can justify this aversion to metaphysics. For if truth be at all within the reach of human capacity, it is certain it must lie very deep and abstruse: and to hope we shall arrive at it without pains, while the greatest geniuses have failed with the utmost pains, must certainly be esteemed sufficiently vain and presumptuous. I pretend to no such advantage in the philosophy I am going to unfold, and would esteem it a strong presumption against it, were it so very easy and obvious.” [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True insight requires rigorous skepticism and effort; dismissing metaphysics without struggle is arrogant. **In simple terms:** Deep truth demands hard work. Key Takeaway Skepticism fuels genuine understanding. Themes epistemology philosophy of science intellectual humility metaphysics human limitation Mood thoughtful critical cautious Type philosophical reflective analytical When to use this quote - academic research - personal belief formation - scientific inquiry - philosophical debate - intellectual self‑assessment Key Concepts skepticism effort truth vanity Practical Applications - critical analysis of metaphysical claims - designing curricula that emphasize rigorous inquiry Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions underlie our confidence in knowledge? - How does effort shape the credibility of a claim? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Aversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aversion/) [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Human capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-capacity/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Metaphysics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphysics/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Presumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presumption/) [Scepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scepticism/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Without pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/without-pain/) ## Related quotes > [“Joy is found when you focus your energy on improving human dignity, human capacity and human values.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/joy-is-found-when-you-focus-your-energy-on-improving-human-dignity/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [He should avail himself of their resources in such ways as to advance the expression of the spirit in the life of mankind. 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