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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 Hume

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David Hume
Age: 65 †
Born: 1711
Born: April 26
Died: 1776
Died: August 25
Economist
Essayist
Historian
Librarian
Philosopher
Writer
Edinburgh
Scotland
David Home
Hume
Passion
Mistaken
Sure
Arrogant
Without
Arrogance
Giving
Proper
Grossest
Men
Secure
Absurdities
Humility
Deliberation
Views
Commonly
Alone
Absurdity

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Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principals.
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I know with certainty, that [an honest man] is not to put his hand into the fire, and hold it there, till it be consumed: And thisevent, I think I can foretell with the same assurance, as that, if he throw himself out at the window, and meet with no obstruction, he will not remain a moment suspended in the air.
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Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived.
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Everything in the world is purchased by labor.
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A propensity to hope and joy is real riches one to fear and sorrow real poverty.
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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.
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There is no such thing as freedom of choice unless there is freedom to refuse.
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Men often act knowingly against their interest.
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Nothing is demonstrable, unless the contrary implies a contradiction. Nothing, that is distinctly conceivable, implies a contradiction. Whatever we conceive as existent, we can also conceive as non-existent. There is no being, therefore, whose non-existence implies a contradiction. Consequently there is no being, whose existence is demonstrable.
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We may well ask, What causes induce us to believe in the existence of body? but 'tis vain to ask. Whether there be body or not? That is a point which we must take for granted in all our reasonings.
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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.
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Almost every one has a predominant inclination, to which his other desires and affections submit, and which governs him, though perhaps with some intervals, though the whole course of his life.
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Nothing is so improving to the temper as the study of the beauties either of poetry, eloquence, music, or painting.
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What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.
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Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.
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All inferences from experience... are effects of custom, not of reasoning.
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[Rousseau] has not had the precaution to throw any veil over his sentiments and as he scorns to dissemble his contempt of established opinions, he could not wonder that all the zealots were in arms against him.
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