David Hume

we may conclude, from the foregoing reasonings, that, as certain unity is requisite in all productions, it cannot be wanting in history more than in any other;

by opening this new inlet for sensations, you also open an inlet for the ideas;

One, who in our climate, should expect better weather in any week of June than in one of December, would reason justly, and conformably to experience; but it is certain, that he may happen, in the event, to find himself mistaken.

A production without design would resemble more the ravings of a madman, than the sober efforts of genius and learning.

. . . reap a pleasure from what, to the generality of mankind, may seem burdensome and laborious.

the limitations and restraints of civil government, and a legal constitution, may be defended, either from reason, which reflecting on the great frailty and corruption of human nature, teaches, that no man can safely be trusted with unlimited authority ;

While we study with Attention the Vanity of human Life, and turn all our Thoughts on the empty and transitory Nature of Riches and Honours, we are, perhaps, all the while flattering our natural Indolence, which, hating the Bustle of the World, and Drudgery of Business, seeks a Pretext of Reason, to give itself a full and uncontroul'd Indulgence.

Abstruse thought and profound researches I prohibit, and will severely punish, by the pensive melancholy which they introduce [...]

'Tis certain, that the easy and obvious Philosophy will always, with the Generality of Mankind, have the Preference to the accurate and abstruse; and by many will be recommended, not only as more agreeable, but more useful than the other.

[…] discover, at least in some degree, the secret springs and principles, by which the human mind is actuated in its operations?

Without delay, he briskly attacked them, as they were defiling from a lane and forming themselves.

Several bodies of troops defiled towards the frontiers under various pretences; and the whole being suddenly assembled, formed an army with which the duke of Guise [Francis, Duke of Guise] made an unexpected march towards Calais.

It is now full time to free him from all these necessities, and to apply cordials and lenitives, after those severities which have already had their full course against him.