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In ancient times, bodily strength and dexterity, being of greater use and importance in war, was also much more esteemed and valued, than at present. ... In short, the different ranks of men are, in a great measure, regulated by riches.

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
Different
Present
Bodily
Much
Greater
Valued
Men
Times
Riches
Use
Measure
War
Ancient
Dexterity
Political
Importance
Esteemed
Also
Short
Regulated
Great
Strength
Ranks

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The supposition that the future resembles the past, is not founded on arguments of any kind, but is derived entirely from habit.
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A pleasant comedy, which paints the manners of the age, and exposes a faithful picture of nature, is a durable work, and is transmitted to the latest posterity. But a system, whether physical or metaphysical, commonly owes its success to its novelty and is no sooner canvassed with impartiality than its weakness is discovered.
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.. that which renders morality an active principle and constitutes virtue our happiness, and vice our misery: it is probable, I say, that this final sentence depends on some internal sense or feeling, which nature has made universal in the whole species.
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A propensity to hope and joy is real riches one to fear and sorrow real poverty.
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Great pleasures are much less frequent than great pains.
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Truth springs from argument amongst friends.
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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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What would become of history, had we not a dependence on the veracity of the historian, according to the experience, what we have had of mankind?
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[priests are] the pretenders to power and dominion, and to a superior sanctity of character, distinct from virtue and good morals.
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