The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

David Hume

More information about this quote

Topic

Man and animals Insignificance of man The universe

Author

David Hume

Source

Of Suicide Essays on Suicide and The Immortality of the Soul

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hume, David, [published anonymously]. "Of Suicide." Essays on Suicide and The Immortality of the Soul, Ascribed to the Late David Hume, Esq. Unknown Publisher, 1777.

Current Citation

Hume, David. "Of Suicide." Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary: Volumes 1 and 2, edited by Tom L. Beauchamp and Mark A Box. Oxford University Press, 2022, pt. 3, no. 9.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1770s

With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches; which, in their eye is never so complete as when they appear to possess those decisive marks of opulence which nobody can possess but themselves.

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

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More information about this quote
Topic
The rich Display of wealth Status games

Author

Adam Smith
Source
The Wealth of Nations
Genre
Economic literature
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations. Vol. 1, London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776, bk. 1, ch. 11, pt. 2.

Current Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations, edited by Edwin Cannan. The Modern Library, bk. 1, ch. 11, pt. 2.

Another quote about Man and animals

A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.

Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince

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More information about this quote
Topic
Man and animals

Author

Niccolo Machiavelli
Source
The Prince
Medium
Treatise
Genre
Political literature Philosophical literature
Language
Italian
Time
1532 1530s 16th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Machiavelli, Niccolò. Il Principe [The Prince]. Rome: Antonio Blado d'Asola, 1532.

Current Citation

Machiavelli, Nicolò. The Prince, translated by Peter Bondanella. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Another quote from 1776

The happiness of society is the end of government.

John Adams

More information about this quote
Topic
Purpose of government Political theory Politics

Author

John Adams
Source
Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies
Medium
Pamphlet
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1776 1770s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Adams, John. Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776.

Current Citation

Adams, John. "Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies, April 1776." John Adams: Revolutionary Writings 1775-1783, edited by Gordon S. Wood. Library of America, 2011.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

Immanuel Kant

More information about this quote
Topic
Imperfection Human nature

Author

Immanuel Kant
Source
Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose
Medium
Essay
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
German
Time
1784 1780s 18th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Kant, Immanuel. "Idee zu einer allgemeinen Geschichte in weltbürgerlicher Absicht [Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose]." Berlinische Monatsschrift, Nov. 1784.