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The advantages found in history seem to be of three kinds, as it amuses the fancy, as it improves the understanding, and as it strengthens virtue.
David Hume
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Interpretation

What this quote means

History offers entertainment, knowledge, and moral strength.

In this quote, David Hume emphasizes the multifaceted benefits of studying history. He suggests that history not only entertains our imagination but also enhances our understanding of the world and reinforces our moral values, thus providing a well-rounded foundation for personal growth and ethical behavior.

Themes

HistoryEducationUnderstandingVirtueKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of education, one might quote Hume to underline the value of learning from history.

More from David Hume

Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow.
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Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
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All that belongs to human understanding, in this deep ignorance and obscurity, is to be sceptical, or at least cautious, and not to admit of any hypothesis whatever, much less of any which is supported by no appearance of probability.
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The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness
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There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
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To have recourse to the veracity of the supreme Being, in order to prove the veracity of our senses, is surely making a very unexpected circuit.
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