What David Hume thinks about politics
Scottish philosopher of the Scottish Enlightenment (1711 to 1776), born in Edinburgh; author of A Treatise of Human Nature, the Enquiries, and a History of England.
David Hume did not write this page.
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3 dated positions, c. 1741–1776, in their own words. Our reading of what David Hume has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsFor my part, I shall always be more fond of promoting moderation than zeal; though perhaps the surest way of producing moderation in every party is to increase our zeal for the public.
↗Essays, Moral and Political (selection; 1741-1776)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Our readingIn designing a constitution every man must be supposed a knave, though this is false in fact
Their wordsIt 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 and Political (selection; 1741-1776)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsI am apt, however, to entertain a suspicion, that the world is still too young to fix many general truths in politics, which will remain true to the latest posterity.
↗Essays, Moral and Political (selection; 1741-1776)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book