Tag: David Hume

All knowledge degenerates into probability.

David Hume

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

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

David Hume

A propensity to hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow real poverty.

David Hume

Everything in the world is purchased by labor.

David Hume

But, historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, however specious these ideas of perfect equality may seem, they are really, at bottom, impracticable; and were they not so, would be extremely pernicious to human society. Render possessions ever so equal, men’s different degrees of art, care, and industry will immediately break that equality. Or if you check these virtues, you reduce society to the most extreme indigence; and instead of preventing want and beggary in a few, render it unavoidable to the whole community.

David Hume

Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.

David Hume

Anticipation of pleasure is, in itself, a very considerable pleasure.

David Hume

A little philosophy makes a man an atheist: a great deal converts him to religion

David Hume

The mind is a kind of theater, where several perceptions successively make their appearance; pass, re-pass, glide away, and mingle in an infinite variety of postures and situations.

David Hume