"Custom, then, is the great guide of human life. It is that principle alone which renders our experience useful to us, and makes us expect, for the future, a similar train of events with those which have appeared in the past. Without the influence of custom, we should be entirely ignorant of every matter of fact beyond what is immediately present to the memory and senses. We should never know how to adjust means to ends, or to employ our natural powers in the production of any effect. There would be an end at once of all action, as well as of the chief part of speculation."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Atheism activistsPeople from EdinburghAcademics from ScotlandPhilosophers from ScotlandHistorians from Scotland
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Variant (perhaps a paraphrase of this passage): It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Hume
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
David Hume
1711 – 1776
schottischer Philosoph, Ökonom und Historiker
168 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by David Hume →
Related Quotes
"It cam’ wi’ a lass, it will gang wi’ a lass."
"All our obligations to do good to society seem to involve doing something in return: I get the benefits of society, s…"
"If suicide is a crime, only cowardice can drive us to it. If it is not a crime, both prudence and courage should lead…"
"Suicide can often be consistent with self-interest and with one’s duty to oneself; this can’t be questioned by anyone…"
"Observe, too, says Philo, the curious artifices of nature, in order to embitter the life of every living being. The s…"
"The whole earth, believe me ... is cursed and polluted. A perpetual war is kindled amongst all living creatures. Nece…"
"The first circumstance which introduces evil, is that contrivance or economy of the animal creation, by which pains, …"
"The conclusion [of the essay 'Of the Protestant Succession'] shows me a Whig, but a very sceptical one."
"The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster."
"With regard to politics and the character of princes and great men, I think I am very moderate. My views of things ar…"