This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal, and directly destructive of society. David Hume on alone
Belief is nothing but a more vivid, lively, forcible, firm, steady conception of an object, than what the imagination alone is ever able to attain. David Hume on alone
Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them. David Hume on beauty
Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived. David Hume on beauty
Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In vain would we exalt the one by depreciating the other. David Hume on beauty
The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst. David Hume on best
Nothing endears so much a friend as sorrow for his death. The pleasure of his company has not so powerful an influence. David Hume on death
A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker. David Hume on design
There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion in themselves. David Hume on education
A propensity to hope and joy is real riches one to fear and sorrow real poverty. David Hume on fear
Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue. David Hume on good
Every wise, just, and mild government, by rendering the condition of its subjects easy and secure, will always abound most in people, as well as in commodities and riches. David Hume on government
Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue. David Hume on great
A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century. David Hume on history
There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient number of men, of such unquestioned good sense, education and learning, as to secure us against all delusion in themselves. David Hume on history
The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue. David Hume on history
A propensity to hope and joy is real riches one to fear and sorrow real poverty. David Hume on hope
Belief is nothing but a more vivid, lively, forcible, firm, steady conception of an object, than what the imagination alone is ever able to attain. David Hume on imagination
A man acquainted with history may, in some respect, be said to have lived from the beginning of the world, and to have been making continual additions to his stock of knowledge in every century. David Hume on knowledge
Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge. David Hume on knowledge