116 quotes
A wise man's kingdom is his own breast: or, if he ever looks farther, it will only be to the judgment of a select few, who are free from prejudices, and capable of examining his work.
There is a degree of doubt, and caution, and modesty, which, in all kinds of scrutiny and decision, ought for ever to accompany a just reasoner.
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748)
Nature may certainly produce whatever can arise from habit: Nay, habit is nothing but one of the principles of nature, and derives all its force from that origin.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
This avidity alone, of acquiring goods and possessions for ourselves and our nearest friends, is insatiable, perpetual, universal, and directly destructive of society.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
The sense of justice and injustice is not deriv'd from nature, but arises artificially... from education, and human conventions.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
Love in animals, has not for its only object animals of the same species, but extends itself farther, and comprehends almost every sensible and thinking being. A dog naturally loves a man above his own species, and very commonly meets with a return of affection.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
It is, therefore, a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave: Though at the same time, it appears somewhat strange, that a maxim should be true in politics, which is false in fact.
Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary (1741)
But such is the nature of the human mind, that it always lays hold on every mind that approaches it; and as it is wonderfully fortified by an unanimity of sentiments, so is it shocked and disturbed by any contrariety.
Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary (1741)
All inferences from experience... are effects of custom, not of reasoning.
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748)
The chief obstacle... to our improvement in the moral and metaphysical sciences is the obscurity of the ideas, and ambiguity of the terms.
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748)
Hypothetical liberty is allowed to everyone who is not a prisoner and in chains
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748)
'Tis only from the selfishness and confin'd generosity of men, along with the scanty provision nature has made for his wants, that justice derives its origin.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
As to the Approbation or Esteem of those Blockheads who call themselves the Public, & whom a Bookseller, a Lord, a Priest, or a Party can guide, I do most heartily despise it.
Morals excite passions, and produce or prevent actions. Reason of itself is utterly impotent in this particular. The rules of morality, therefore, are not conclusions of our reason.
A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
From the comparison of theism and idolatry, we may form some other observations, which will also confirm the vulgar observation that the corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.
The Natural History of Religion (1757)
In a word, human life is more governed by fortune than by reason; is to be regarded more as a dull pastime than as a serious occupation; and is more influenced by particular humour, than by general principles.
Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary (1741)
His character does not appear more extraordinary and unusual by the mixture of so much absurdity with so much penetration, than by his tempering such violent ambition, and such enraged fanaticism with so much regard to justice and humanity.
The History of England (1754)
An invisible spiritual intelligence is an object too refined for vulgar apprehension
...of the world and drudgery of business, seeks a pretense of reason to give itself a full and uncontrolled indulgence.
The same good sense, that directs men in the ordinary occurrences of life, is not hearkened to in religious matters, which are supposed to be placed altogether above the cognizance of human reason.
Four Dissertations (1757)