David Hume quotes

David Hume was a Scottish philosopher known for his profound contributions to empiricism and skepticism. Born in 1711, Hume's philosophical ideas continue to shape modern thought. As an SEO-friendly bio, learn more about David Hume's life, works, and impact on philosophy here.

No 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 Hume

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.

- David Hume

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

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.

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

Truth springs from argument amongst friends.

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.

- David Hume

The law always limits every power it gives.

- David Hume

The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue.

- David Hume

Philosophy would render us entirely Pyrrhonian, were not nature too strong for it.

- David Hume

It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.

- David Hume

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.

- David Hume

Nothing endears so much a friend as sorrow for his death. The pleasure of his company has not so powerful an influence.

- David Hume

Men often act knowingly against their interest.

- David Hume

Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principals.

- David Hume

What a peculiar privilege has this little agitation of the brain which we call 'thought'.

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

It is a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.

- David Hume

He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he Is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstance.

- David Hume

Everything in the world is purchased by labor.

- David Hume

Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.

- David Hume

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

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In vain would we exalt the one by depreciating the other.

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

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

- David Hume

The rules of morality are not the conclusion of our reason.

- David Hume

To hate, to love, to think, to feel, to see; all this is nothing but to perceive.

- David Hume

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

- David Hume