Essays, Moral and Political

First published 1741–42 · each essay in the last edition Hume published it in (1742–77)

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contents

Volume I (1741)

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Most of these Essays were wrote with a view of being publish’d as Weekly-Papers, and were intended to comprehend the Designs both of the…

Of the Delicacy of Taste and Passion

Some People are subject to a certain delicacy of passion, which makes them extremely sensible to all the accidents of life, and gives them…

Of the Liberty of the Press

Nothing is more apt to surprize a foreigner, than the extreme liberty, which we enjoy in this country, of communicating whatever we please…

Of Impudence and Modesty

I am of opinion, That the common complaints against Providence are ill-grounded, and that the good or bad qualities of men are the causes…

That Politics may be reduced to a Science

It is a question with several, whether there be any essential difference between one form of government and another? and, whether every…

Of the First Principles of Government

Nothing appears more surprizing to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are…

Of Love and Marriage

I know not whence it proceeds, that women are so apt to take amiss every thing which is said in disparagement of the married state; and…

Of the Study of History

There is nothing which I would recommend more earnestly to my female readers than the study of history, as an occupation, of all others,…

Of the Independency of Parliament

Political writers have established it as a maxim, that, in contriving any system of government, and fixing the several checks and controuls…

Whether the British Government inclines more to Absolute Monarchy, or to a Republic

It affords a violent prejudice against almost every science, that no prudent man, however sure of his principles, dares prophesy concerning…

Of Parties in General

Of all men, that distinguish themselves by memorable atchievements, the first place of honour seems due to Legislators and founders of…

Of the Parties of Great Britain

Were the British government proposed as a subject of speculation, one would immediately perceive in it a source of division and party,…

Of Superstition and Enthusiasm

That the corruption of the best things produces the worst, is grown into a maxim, and is commonly proved, among other instances, by the…

’Tis easy to observe, that comic writers exaggerate every character, and draw their fop, or coward with stronger features than are any…

Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature

There are certain sects, which secretly form themselves in the learned world, as well as factions in the political; and though sometimes…

Of Civil Liberty

Those who employ their pens on political subjects, free from party-rage, and party-prejudices, cultivate a science, which, of all others,…

Volume II (1742)

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’Tis proper to inform the Reader, that, in those Essays, intitled, The Epicurean, Stoic, &c. a certain Character is personated; and…

Of Essay-Writing

The elegant Part of Mankind, who are not immers’d in the animal Life, but employ themselves in the Operations of the Mind, may be divided…

Those, who consider the periods and revolutions of human kind, as represented in history, are entertained with a spectacle full of pleasure…

Of Moral Prejudices

There is a Set of Men lately sprung up amongst us, who endeavour to distinguish themselves by ridiculing every Thing, that has hitherto…

Of the Middle Station of Life

The Moral of the following Fable will easily discover itself, without my explaining it. One Rivulet meeting another, with whom he had been…

Of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Sciences

Nothing requires greater nicety, in our enquiries concerning human affairs, than to distinguish exactly what is owing to chance, and what…

It is a great mortification to the vanity of man, that his utmost art and industry can never equal the meanest of nature’s productions,…

There is this obvious and material difference in the conduct of nature, with regard to man and other animals, that, having endowed the…

To some philosophers it appears matter of surprize, that all mankind, possessing the same nature, and being endowed with the same…

I have long entertained a suspicion, with regard to the decisions of philosophers upon all subjects, and found in myself a greater…

Of Polygamy and Divorces

As marriage is an engagement entered into by mutual consent, and has for its end the propagation of the species, it is evident, that it…

Of Simplicity and Refinement in Writing

Fine writing, according to Mr. Addison, consists of sentiments, which are natural, without being obvious. There cannot be a juster, and…

A Character of Sir Robert Walpole

There never was a Man, whose Actions and Character have been more earnestly and openly canvassed, than those of the present Minister, who,…