Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow.
David HumeRead
To be a philosophical sceptic is, in a man of letters, the first and most essential to being a sound, believing Christian.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philosophical skepticism is essential for a thoughtful and authentic faith in Christianity.
David Hume suggests that to engage deeply with faith, one must first adopt a skeptical approach, questioning and examining beliefs. This skepticism leads to a more robust understanding and acceptance of Christian faith, as it encourages individuals to reflect carefully on their beliefs rather than accept them blindly.
Themes
SkepticismFaithPhilosophyChristianityUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on faith at a university lecture, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of questioning one's beliefs.
More from David Hume
All quotes βEloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
David HumeRead
All that belongs to human understanding, in this deep ignorance and obscurity, is to be sceptical, or at least cautious, and not to admit of any hypothesis whatever, much less of any which is supported by no appearance of probability.
David HumeRead
The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness
David HumeRead
There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
David HumeRead
To have recourse to the veracity of the supreme Being, in order to prove the veracity of our senses, is surely making a very unexpected circuit.
David HumeRead
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