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From causes which appear similar, we expect similar effects. This is the sum total of all our experimental conclusions.

David Hume

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David Hume
Age: 65 †
Born: 1711
Born: April 26
Died: 1776
Died: August 25
Economist
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Historian
Librarian
Philosopher
Writer
Edinburgh
Scotland
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More quotes by David Hume

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Examine the religious principles which have, in fact, prevailed in the world. You will scarcely be persuaded that they are other than sick men's dreams.
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The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.
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The ages of greatest public spirit are not always eminent for private virtue.
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Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers.
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There is no such thing as freedom of choice unless there is freedom to refuse.
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It is certain that the easy and obvious philosophy will always, with the generality of mankind, have preference above the accurate.
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Avarice, the spur of industry.
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That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation, that it will rise.
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Fine writing, according to Mr. Addison, consists of sentiments which are natural without being obvious.
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But it is a miracle that a dead man should come to life because that has never been observed in any age or country.
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The most pernicious of all taxes are the arbitrary.
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.. the voice of nature and experience seems plainly to oppose the selfish theory.
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We may observe that, in displaying the praises of any humane, beneficent man, there is one circumstance which never fails to be amply insisted on, namely, the happiness and satisfaction, derived to society from his intercourse and good offices.
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But to proceed in this reconciling project with regard to the question of liberty and necessity the most contentious question of metaphysics, the most contentious science.
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Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.
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Never literary attempt was more unfortunate than my Treatise of Human Nature. It fell dead-born from the press.
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Convulsions in nature, disorders, prodigies, miracles, though the most opposite of the plan of a wise superintendent, impress mankind with the strongest sentiments of religion.
David Hume
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An infinite number of real parts of time, passing in succession, and exhausted one after another, appears so evident a contradiction, that no man, one should think, whose judgement is not corrupted, instead of being improved, by the sciences, would ever be able to admit of it.
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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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He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper but he Is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstance.
David Hume