Quotes by David Hume

About David Hume:

David Hume is best known today for his highly influential system of radical philosophical empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism.
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Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.

David Hume

Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them.

David Hume

Should a traveler, returning from a far country, bring us an account of men wholly different from any with whom we were ever acquainted, men who were entirely divested of avarice, ambition, or revenge, who knew no pleasure but friendship, generosity,...

David Hume

Any pride or haughtiness, is displeasing to us, merely because it shocks our own pride, and leads us by sympathy into comparison, which causes the disagreeable passion of humility.

David Hume

The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.

David Hume

The law always limits every power it gives.

David Hume

Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.

David Hume

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In vain would we exalt the one by depreciating the other.

David Hume

Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived.

David Hume

A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century.

David Hume

The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue.

David Hume

Nothing endears so much a friend as sorrow for his death. The pleasure of his company has not so powerful an influence.

David Hume

A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker.

David Hume

There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion in themselves.

David Hume

Custom is the great guide to human life.

David Hume

Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue.

David Hume

Every wise, just, and mild government, by rendering the condition of its subjects easy and secure, will always abound most in people, as well as in commodities and riches.

David Hume

A propensity to hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow real poverty.

David Hume

Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.

David Hume

It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.

David Hume

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

David Hume

Author Bio

  • NameDavid Hume
  • DescriptionScottish philosopher, economist, and historian
  • AliasesDavid Home
  • BornApril 26, 1711
  • DiedAugust 25, 1776
  • CountryKingdom Of Great Britain
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Economist; Librarian; Historian; Essayist; Writer