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David Hume quotes on reason

3 verified English passages where David Hume’ s thought meets questions of reason.

David Hume on reason

David Hume (1711–1776) approaches reason within Empiricism. All ideas derive from impressions; meaningful philosophy traces terms to experience. Causation is constant conjunction plus customary projection, not perceived necessary connection. On this page, the archive isolates English passages where that project meets reason most directly—useful for searches such as “david hume quotes on reason.”

How to use this page

Start with the shortest passage, then compare tone across sources. Return to the David Hume thinker page for biography and to the reason theme for other voices on the same question.

Frequently asked

What did David Hume say about reason?

The quotations below are the archive’s curated answer: English renderings selected for clarity and attribution, not a complete corpus.

Where else should I read after david hume on reason?

Related themes: Self , Knowledge , Freedom , Nature , Life , Wisdom .

  1. Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them.
  2. Reason is wholly inactive, and can never be the source of so active a principle as conscience, or a sense of morals.
  3. Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions.