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The stability of modern governments above the ancient, and the accuracy of modern philosophy, have improved, and probably will still improve, by similar gradations.

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
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Philosopher
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Edinburgh
Scotland
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Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous those in philosophy only ridiculous.
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The whole of natural theologyresolves itself into one simple, though somewhat ambiguous proposition, That the cause or causesof order in the universe probably bear some remote analogy to human intelligence.
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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.
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The Crusades - the most signal and most durable monument of human folly that has yet appeared in any age or nation.
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Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived.
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It forms a strong presumption against all supernatural and miraculous relations, that they are observed chiefly to abound among ignorant and barbarous nations or if a civilized people has ever given admission to any of them, that people will be found to have received them from ignorant and barbarous ancestors.
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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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Everything in the world is purchased by labor.
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Vanity is so closely allied to virtue, and to love the fame of laudable actions approaches so near the love of laudable actions for their own sake, that these passions are more capable of mixture than any other kinds of affection and it is almost impossible to have the latter without some degree of the former.
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A propensity to hope and joy is real riches one to fear and sorrow real poverty.
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The most lively thought is still inferior to the dullest sensation.
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Avarice, or the desire of gain, is a universal passion which operates at all times, at all places, and upon all persons.
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It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.
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Fine writing, according to Mr. Addison, consists of sentiments which are natural without being obvious.
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Every movement of the theater by a skilful poet is communicated, as it were, by magic, to the spectators who weep, tremble, resent, rejoice, and are inflamed with all the variety of passions which actuate the several personages of the drama.
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While Newton seemed to draw off the veil from some of the mysteries of nature, he showed at the same time the imperfections of the mechanical philosophy and thereby restored her ultimate secrets to that obscurity, in which they ever did and ever will remain.
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What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.
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Liberty of thinking, and of expressing our thoughts, is always fatal to priestly power, and to those pious frauds on which it is commonly founded.
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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.
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It is harder to avoid censure than to gain applause.
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