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.

David Hume

A Treatise of Human Nature

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More information about this quote

Topic

Reason and emotion Reason Emotion

Author

David Hume

Source

A Treatise of Human Nature

Medium

Treatise

Genre

Philosophical literature

Language

English

Time

1739 1730s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hume, David, [published anonymously]. A Treatise of Human Nature. London: John Noon, 1739, bk. 2, pt. 3, sect. 3.

Current Citation

Hume, David. "A Treatise of Human Nature." The Clarendon Edition of the Works of David Hume, edited by David Fate Norton and Mary J. Norton. Vol. 1, Oxford University Press, 2007, bk. 2, pt. 3, sect. 3.

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A quote by David Hume about reason and emotion: “Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can…”
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A quote by David Hume about reason and emotion: “Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can…”
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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 1730s

Power may justly be compared to a great River, while kept within its due Bonds, is both Beautiful and Useful; but when it overflows its Banks, it is then too impetuous to be stemm'd, it bears down all before it, and brings Destruction and Desolation wherever it comes. If then this is the Nature of Power, let us at least do our Duty, and like wise Men (who value Freedom) use our utmost Care to support Liberty, the only Bulwark against lawless Power, which in all Ages has sacrificed to it's wild Lust and boundless Ambition, the Blood of the best Men that ever liv'd.

Andrew Hamilton

More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of power Power
Speaker
Andrew Hamilton
Language
English
Time
1735 1730s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Hamilton, Andrew. Argument in John Peter Zenger Trial. 1735, New York's City Hall, New York, NY, USA.

Another quote about Reason

The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.

Blaise Pascal

Pensées

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More information about this quote
Topic
Reason and emotion Reason Emotions The heart

Author

Blaise Pascal
Source
Pensées
Medium
Epigram
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
French
Time
1662 1660s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Pascal, Blaise. Pensées [Thoughts]. Paris: Chez G. Desprez, 1670, no. 277.

Current Citation

Pascal, Blaise. "Pensées." Pensées and Other Writings, edited by Anthony Levi, translated by Honor Levi. Oxford University Press, 2008, no. 277.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

I think, therefore I am.

René Descartes

Discourse on Method

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More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of man

Author

René Descartes
Source
Discourse on Method
Genre
Philosophical literature
Language
French
Time
1637 1630s 17th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Descartes, René [published anonymously]. Discours de la Méthode: Pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la vérité dans les sciences [Discourse on Method: To Conduct Reason Well, and Seek Truth in the Sciences]. Leiden, 1637, pt. 4.

Current Citation

Descartes, René. Discourse on the Method, translated by Ian Maclean. Oxford University Press, 2008, pt. 4.