Quotation by David Hume

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"A Dissertation on the Passions" Green and Grose (1898)An Abstract of A Treatise of Human Nature (1740)"An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals" ed. J. Schneewind, Indianapolis, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. (1983)A Treatise of Human Nature ed. Selby-Bigge, Oxford (1951)A Treatise of Human Nature ed. P. Nidditch, 2nd edition, New York, Oxford University Press (1978)

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I know with certainty, that [an honest man] is not to put his hand into the fire, and hold it there, till it be consumed: And this event, I think I can foretell with the same assurance, as that, if he throw himself out at the window, and meet with no obstruction, he will not remain a moment suspended in the air.

David Hume

David Hume (1711–1776), Scottish philosopher. Enquiries Concerning the Human Understanding and Concerning the Principles of Morals, sect. 8 ("Of Liberty and Necessity"), part 1, p. 91, ed. L. Selby-Bigge, M.A., 2nd edition, London, Oxford University Press (1902).

From "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding."

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