"There is no such thing as freedom of choice unless there is freedom to refuse."
"The slaving Poor are incapable of any Principles: Gentlemen may be converted to true Principles, by Time and Experience. The middling Rank of Men have Curiosity and Knowledge enough to form Principles, but not enough to form true ones, or correct any Prejudices that they may have imbib'd: And 'tis among the middling Rank, that Tory Principles do at present prevail most in England."
3 likes
Source: David Hume (1826). “The philosophical works of David Hume”, p.80
About the author
Same author
More quotes by David Hume
"Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few."
"Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them."
"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."
"A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence."
"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."