Men often act knowingly against their interest.

Quote by David Hume

Topics: David Hume Quotes

There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient...

There is not to be found, in all history, any miracle attested by a sufficient...

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence

Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the...

Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the...

A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker.

A purpose, an intention, a design, strikes everywhere even the careless, the most stupid thinker.

Philosophy would render us entirely Pyrrhonian, were not nature too strong for it.

Philosophy would render us entirely Pyrrhonian, were not nature too strong for it.

It is a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.

It is a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave.

He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he Is more excellent who suits...

He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he Is more excellent who suits...

Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself...

Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself...

I may venture to affirm the rest of mankind, that they are nothing but a...

I may venture to affirm the rest of mankind, that they are nothing but a...

Beauty is no quality in things themselves. It exists merely in the mind which contemplates...

Beauty is no quality in things themselves. It exists merely in the mind which contemplates...

To be a philosophical sceptic is, in a man of letters, the first and most...

To be a philosophical sceptic is, in a man of letters, the first and most...

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In...

Accuracy is, in every case, advantageous to beauty, and just reasoning to delicate sentiment. In...

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.

Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous.

I have written on all sorts of subjects... yet I have no enemies; except indeed...

I have written on all sorts of subjects... yet I have no enemies; except indeed...

Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principals.

Character is the result of a system of stereotyped principals.

In public affairs men are often better pleased that the truth, though known to everybody,...

In public affairs men are often better pleased that the truth, though known to everybody,...

The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this...

The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this...

Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.

Scholastic learning and polemical divinity retarded the growth of all true knowledge.

Avarice, the spur of industry.

Avarice, the spur of industry.

It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.

It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.