When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.
DAVID HUMEWhen men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.
DAVID HUMEThe feelings of our heart, the agitation of our passions, the vehemence of our affections, dissipate all its conclusions, and reduce the profound philosopher to a mere plebeian.
DAVID HUMEThe science of man is the only solid foundation for the other sciences.
DAVID HUMEThe victory is not gained by the men at arms, who manage the pike and the sword; but by the trumpeters, drummers, and musicians of the army.
DAVID HUMEHow can we satisfy ourselves without going on in infinitum? And, after all, what satisfaction is there in that infinite progression?
DAVID HUMEReason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.
DAVID HUMEReading and sauntering and lounging and dosing, which I call thinking, is my supreme Happiness.
DAVID HUMETo be a philosophical Sceptic is the first and most essential step towards being a sound, believing Christian.
DAVID HUMEBeauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.
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?
DAVID HUMEWe 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.
DAVID HUMEBut the life of a man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.
DAVID HUMEBeauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them
DAVID HUMEno testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous, than the fact, which it endeavors to establish.
DAVID HUMEI weigh the one miracle against the other and according to the superiority which I discover, I pronounce my decision.
DAVID HUMEThe bigotry of theologians is a malady which seems almost incurable.
DAVID HUME