David Hume Quotes on Virtue
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and economist of the Scottish Enlightenment. This page collects quotes attributed to David Hume on the topic of virtue, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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“He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstances.”
§ 6.9 : Of Qualities Useful to Ourselves, Pt. 1 -
“When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken.”
§ 9.13 : Conclusion, Pt. 1 -
“The corruption of the best things gives rise to the worst.”
Part X - With regard to courage or abasement -
“Playfully ironic letter to Adam Smith regarding the positive reception of "The Theory of Moral Sentiments”
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 . Nothing indeed can be a stronger presumption of falsehood than the approbation of the multitude; and Phocion, you know, always suspected himself of some blunder when he was attended with the applauses of the popula -
“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. -- Were one to go round the world with an intention of giving a good supper to the righteous, and a sound drubbing to the wicked, he would frequently be embarrassed in his choice, and would find that the merits and the demerits of most men and women scarcely amount to the value of either.”
Essay on the Immortality of the Soul