Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by David Hume (Scottish Philosopher, Historian)

David Hume (1711–76) was a Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian. He rejected the possibility of certainty in knowledge and claimed that all the data of reason stem from experience by the senses.

Born in Edinburgh, Hume was fascinated by literature and philosophy at a young age. He became obsessed with the idea of truth; it caused him to lose his faith when he was 18 years old. After finishing his studies, he moved to France for private studies, and wrote his Treatise of Human Nature (1739–40,) in which he argued that reasoning was merely the habit of the mind as it attempted to make sense of random events, and that reason would never be adequate to arrive at the ultimate cause of anything. He argued that it was impossible to go beyond the subjective experiences of impressions and ideas. He also wrote An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748,) An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751,) and Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary (1752.)

In 1755, the Church of England tried to prosecute Hume for his religious skepticism, but the case was dismissed. Hume thus became one of the first to openly question the existence of God without almost no consequences.

Hume’s philosophical writings went overlooked during his lifetime, and the considerable fame he achieved derived from his work as an essayist and a historian. While working as a librarian, Hume wrote the six-volume History of England (1762,) which became a best-seller for more than a century and gave him the financial independence to write and revise his many philosophical treatises.

Hume became the leading figure of a group of Scottish intellectuals, including the economist Adam Smith (who invented the study of economics,) Adam Ferguson (who helped invent sociology,) James Hutton (who invented geology,) Joseph Black and William Cullen (who invented modern chemistry,) James Watt (who developed the steam engine,) James Boswell (who wrote the biography of Samuel Johnson,) Walter Scott (who wrote the first great novel,) and Hugh Blair (the first University professor to teach a course in English literature.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by David Hume

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.
—David Hume
Topics: Universe

Disbelief in futurity loosens in a great measure the ties of morality, and may be for that reason pernicious to the peace of civil society.
—David Hume
Topics: Beliefs

A man’s time, when well husbanded, is like a cultivated field, of which a few acres produces more of what is useful to life, than extensive provinces, even of the richest soil, when overrun with weeds and brambles.
—David Hume
Topics: Time

Delicacy of taste has the same effect as delicacy of passion; it enlarges the sphere both of our happiness and misery, and makes us sensible to pain as well as pleasures, which escape the rest of mankind.
—David Hume
Topics: Taste

Almost everyone has a predominant inclination, to which his other desires and actions submit, and which governs him, though perhaps with some intervals, through the whole course of his life.
—David Hume

The sublime, says Longinus, “is often nothing but the echo or image of magnanimity” and where this quality appears in any one, even though a syllable be not uttered, it excites our applause and admiration.
—David Hume

Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature.
—David Hume
Topics: History

Such is the nature of novelty that I where anything pleases it becomes doubly agreeable if new; but if it displeases, it is doubly displeasing on that I very account.
—David Hume

There is a sort of harmless liars, frequently to be met with in company, who deal much in the marvellous. Their usual intention is to please and entertain: but as men are most delighted with what they conceive to be truth, these people mistake the means of pleasing, and incur universal blame.
—David Hume
Topics: Exaggeration

That the corruption of the best thing produces the worst, is grown into a maxim, and is commonly proved, among other instances, by the pernicious effects of superstition and enthusiasm, the corruptions of true religion.
—David Hume
Topics: Superstition

And what is the greatest number? Number one.
—David Hume
Topics: Competition

Be a philosopher; but amid all your philosophy, be still a man.
—David Hume
Topics: Philosophy

All advantages are attended with disadvantages.—A universal compensation prevails in all conditions of being and existence.
—David Hume

Truth springs from argument amongst friends.
—David Hume
Topics: One liners, Friendship, Arguments

Riches are valuable at all times and to all men, because they always purchase pleasures such as men are accustomed to and desire: nor can anything restrain or regulate the love of money but a sense of honor and virtue, which, if not equal at all times, will naturally abound most in ages of knowledge and refinement.
—David Hume
Topics: Riches

What a peculiar privilege has this little agitation of the brain which we call ‘thought’.
—David Hume
Topics: Thought

It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.
—David Hume
Topics: Life and Living

Weakness, fear, melancholy, together with ignorance, are the true sources of superstition. Hope, pride, presumption, a warm indignation, together with ignorance, are the true sources of enthusiasm.
—David Hume
Topics: Enthusiasm, Superstition

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.
—David Hume
Topics: Liberty

Let us consider what we call vicious luxury. No gratification, however sensual, can of itself be esteemed vicious. A gratification is only vicious when it engrosses all a man’s expense, and leaves no ability for such acts of duty and generosity as are required by his situation and fortune. The same care and toil that raise a dish of peas at Christmas would give bread to a whole family during six months.
—David Hume
Topics: Luxury

He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to any circumstances.
—David Hume
Topics: Chance, Acceptance, Happiness, Life, Circumstance

A man’s genius is always, in the beginning of life, as much unknown to himself as to others; and it is only after frequent trials, attended with success, that he dares think himself equal to those undertakings in which those who have succeeded have fixed the admiration of mankind.
—David Hume
Topics: Genius

Among the other excellencies of man, this is one, that he can form the image of perfection much beyond what he has experience of in himself, and is not limited in his conception of wisdom and virtue.
—David Hume
Topics: Perfection

Custom, then, is the great guide to human life.
—David Hume
Topics: Custom, Habits

Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
—David Hume
Topics: Conversation, Eloquence

Nothing can be more unphilosophical than to be positive or dogmatical on any subject.—When men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly the most mistaken and have there given reins to passion without that proper deliberation and suspense, which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.
—David Hume
Topics: Pride, Certainty

All power, even the most despotic, rests ultimately on opinion.
—David Hume
Topics: Opinion

The law always limits every power it gives.
—David Hume
Topics: Power

It is impossible for men even to murder each other without statutes and maxims, and an idea of justice and honor.—War has its laws as well as peace.
—David Hume
Topics: Law

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.
—David Hume
Topics: Religion

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