David Hume

"In all ages of the world, priests have been enemies to liberty; and it is certain, that this steady conduct of theirs must have been founded on fixed reasons of interest and ambition. Liberty of thinking, and of expressing our thoughts, is always fatal to priestly power, and to those pious frauds, on which it is commonly founded; and, by an infallible connexion, which prevails among all kinds of liberty, this privilege can never be enjoyed, at least has never yet been enjoyed, but in a free government."

6 likes

Source: David Hume (2016). “Essays Moral, Political, Literary: Revision of Great Book”, p.50, VM eBooks

About the author

David Hume

David Hume

Philosopher, Historian

David Hume was a Scottish philosopher known for his influential ideas on empiricism, skepticism, and human nature, particularly in 'A Treatise of Human Nature.'

All quotes by David Hume →

Same author

More quotes by David Hume

See all →
David Hume Philosopher, Historian

"It is seldom, that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. Slavery has so frightful an aspect to men accustomed to freedom, that it must steal upon them by degrees, and must disguise itself in a thousand shapes, in order to be received."

Read quote
David Hume Philosopher, Historian

"When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities."

Read quote