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Reason4 quotes
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 · 1739The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its veracity: And whoever is moved by Faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience. — David Hume · 1748If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning, concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: For it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion. — David Hume · 1748Opposing one species of superstition to another, set them a quarrelling; while we ourselves, during their fury and contention, happily make our escape, into the calm, tho' obscure, regions of philosophy. — David Hume · 1757Mathematics2 quotes
If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning, concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: For it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion. — David Hume · 1748The great advantage of the mathematical sciences above the moral consists in this, that the ideas of the former, being sensible, are always clear and determinate. — David Hume · 1748Philosophy2 quotes
Opposing one species of superstition to another, set them a quarrelling; while we ourselves, during their fury and contention, happily make our escape, into the calm, tho' obscure, regions of philosophy. — David Hume · 1757Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous. — David Hume · 1739Acquisitiveness1 quote
Of all the animals, with which this globe is peopled, there is none towards whom nature seems, at first sight, to have exercis'd more cruelty than towards man, in the numberless wants and necessities, with which she has loaded him, and in the slender means, which she affords to the relieving these necessities. — David Hume · 1739Anti-clericalism1 quote
In all ages of the world, priests have been enemies to liberty. — David Hume · 1741Beauty1 quote
Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them. — David Hume · 1758Beliefs1 quote
A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence. — David Hume · 1748Christianity1 quote
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its veracity: And whoever is moved by Faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience. — David Hume · 1748Conflict1 quote
In all matters of opinion and science... The difference among men is...oftener found to lie in generals than in particulars: and to be less in reality than in appearance. An explanation of the terms commonly ends the controversy; and the disputants are surprised to find, that they had been quarrelling, while at bottom they agreed in their judgement. — David Hume · 1758Conflict resolution1 quote
In all matters of opinion and science... The difference among men is...oftener found to lie in generals than in particulars: and to be less in reality than in appearance. An explanation of the terms commonly ends the controversy; and the disputants are surprised to find, that they had been quarrelling, while at bottom they agreed in their judgement. — David Hume · 1758Critique of Christianity1 quote
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its veracity: And whoever is moved by Faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience. — David Hume · 1748Custom and convention1 quote
Custom, then, is the great guide of human life. — David Hume · 1748Delusion1 quote
The heart of man is made to reconcile contradictions. — David Hume · 1741Depression1 quote
A propensity to hope and joy is real riches: One to fear and sorrow, real poverty. — David Hume · 1758Emotions1 quote
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 · 1739Enemies of freedom1 quote
In all ages of the world, priests have been enemies to liberty. — David Hume · 1741Evidence1 quote
A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence. — David Hume · 1748Faith and reason1 quote
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its veracity: And whoever is moved by Faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience. — David Hume · 1748Freedom1 quote
In all ages of the world, priests have been enemies to liberty. — David Hume · 1741Greed1 quote
Avarice, the spur of industry, is so obstinate a passion, and works its way through so many real dangers and difficulties, that it is not likely to be scared by an imaginary danger, which is so small, that it scarcely admits of calculation. — David Hume · 1741Human nature1 quote
The heart of man is made to reconcile contradictions. — David Hume · 1741Insignificance of man1 quote
The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster. — David Hume · 1776Man and animals1 quote
The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster. — David Hume · 1776Miracles1 quote
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of its veracity: And whoever is moved by Faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience. — David Hume · 1748Money1 quote
Money... Is none of the wheels of trade: It is the oil which renders the motion of the wheels more smooth and easy. — David Hume · 1752Nature of beauty1 quote
Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them. — David Hume · 1758Optimism1 quote
A propensity to hope and joy is real riches: One to fear and sorrow, real poverty. — David Hume · 1758Pessimism1 quote
A propensity to hope and joy is real riches: One to fear and sorrow, real poverty. — David Hume · 1758Poetry1 quote
Poets...tho' liars by profession, always endeavour to give an air of truth to their fictions. — David Hume · 1739Poets1 quote
Poets...tho' liars by profession, always endeavour to give an air of truth to their fictions. — David Hume · 1739