David Hume
David Hume
David Hume– 25 August 1776) or David Homewas a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, who is best known today for his highly influential system of radical philosophical empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth7 May 1711
history use principles
Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature.
evil religion doe
If God is omnipotent, omniscient and wholly good, whence evil? If God wills to prevent evil but cannot, then He is not omnipotent. If He can prevent evil but does not, then he is not good. In either case he is not God.
enemy liberty age
In all ages of the world, priests have been enemies of liberty.
men luxury generosity
Let us consider what we call vicious luxury. No gratification, however sensual, can of itself be esteemed vicious. A gratification is only vicious when it engrosses all a man's expense, and leaves no ability for such acts of duty and generosity as are required by his situation and fortune. The same care and toil that raise a dish of peas at Christmas would give bread to a whole family during six months.
ambition passion principles
Where ambition can cover its enterprises, even to the person himself, under the appearance of principle, it is the most incurable and inflexible of passions
weed genius soil
The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds.
philosophical men human-nature
Human Nature is the only science of man; and yet has been hitherto the most neglected.
possession goods insatiable
This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal, and directly destructive of society.
strong philosophy philosophical
Philosophy would render us entirely Pyrrhonian, were not nature too strong for it.
friendship spring philosophical
Truth springs from argument amongst friends.
philosophical men interest
Men often act knowingly against their interest.
philosophy philosophical science
Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.
nature art men
Art may make a suite of clothes, but nature must produce a man.
philosophical numbers competition
And what is the greatest number? Number one.