Contents
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher and historian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Western philosophy. His writings on topics such as morality, religion, and the nature of knowledge have had a lasting impact on the way we think about the world. Here are some of his most inspiring and thought-provoking quotes.
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On Life
“The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.”
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“The most perfect philosophy of the natural kind only staves off our ignorance a little longer: as perhaps the most perfect philosophy of the moral or metaphysical kind serves only to discover larger portions of it.” David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and economist who lived in the 18th century. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Western philosophy and his ideas have had a profound impact on modern thought.Hume's quotes are both inspirational and thought-provoking. They cover a wide range of topics including human nature, morality, religion, politics, and economics. One of his most famous quotes is 'Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.' This quote challenges traditional notions that reason should always guide our actions.Another notable quote from Hume is 'Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.' This quote highlights how beauty is subjective and depends on individual perception rather than objective qualities inherent in an object.If you're interested in exploring more inspiring quotes from other great thinkers like David Hume, check out books like Imi Lichtenfeld's book or read up on Studs Terkel quotes . These resources offer valuable insights into different perspectives on life that can help inspire personal growth and development.
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“Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.”
On Morality
“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.”
“No moral principle is self-evident.”
“It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.”
On Religion
“A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.”
“The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one.”
“The whole frame of nature bespeaks an intelligent author.”
Conclusion
David Hume's quotes are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them. His insights into life, morality, and religion are thought-provoking and inspiring. Whether you agree with him or not, his ideas are sure to make you think about the world in a new way.
For more information on David Hume and his philosophy, check out Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .
FAQ
- Q: Who was David Hume?
A: David Hume was a Scottish philosopher and historian who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of Western philosophy. - Q: What are some of David Hume's most famous quotes?
A: Some of David Hume's most famous quotes include “The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster”, “Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions”, and “A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.” - Q: What are some resources to learn more about David Hume?
A: Some resources to learn more about David Hume include Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy .
Table of David Hume's Quotes
| Quote | Topic |
|---|---|
| 'The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.' | Life |
| '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.' | Morality |
| 'A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.' | Religion |