Quotes By David Hume

Men are much oftener thrown on their knees by the melancholy than by the agreeable passions.

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.

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.

The chief benefit, which results from philosophy, arises in an indirect manner, and proceeds more from its secret, insensible influence, than from its immediate application.

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

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.

Truth springs from argument amongst friends.

Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.

The law always limits every power it gives.

To be a philosophical sceptic is, in a man of letters, the first and most essential to being a sound, believing Christian.

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.

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

Everything in the world is purchased by labor.

It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.

That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation, that it will rise.

Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been hitherto the most neglected.

Men often act knowingly against their interest.

Avarice, the spur of industry.

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.

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.

It's when we start working together that the real healing takes place... it's when we start spilling our sweat, and not our blood.

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