We should never know how to adjust means to ends, or to employ our natural powers in the production of any effect. There would be an end at once of all action, as well as of the chief part of speculation.
DAVID HUMEEpicurus’s old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?
More David Hume Quotes
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The science of man is the only solid foundation for the other sciences.
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What a peculiar privilege has this little agitation of the brain which we call ‘thought’
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To be a philosophical Sceptic is the first and most essential step towards being a sound, believing Christian.
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It is an absurdity to believe that the Deity has human passions, and one of the lowest of human passions, a restless appetite for applause
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We make allowance for a certain degree of selfishness in men; because we know it to be inseparable from human nature, and inherent in our frame and constitution. By this reflexion we correct those sentiments of blame, which so naturally arise upon any opposition.
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All knowledge degenerates into probability.
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Revolutions of government cannot be effected by the mere force of argument and reasoning.
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Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.
DAVID HUME -
Tis not unreasonable for me to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.
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Nothing is more usual than for philosophers to encroach upon the province of grammarians; and to engage in disputes of words, while they imagine that they are handling controversies of the deepest importance and concern
DAVID HUME -
It is, therefore, a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.
DAVID HUME -
Epicurus’s old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?
DAVID HUME -
All sentiment is right; because sentiment has a reference to nothing beyond itself, and is always real, wherever a man is conscious of it.
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The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder.
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He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper, but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to his circumstance.
DAVID HUME