Context

This line was written by David Hume in Book I of his philosophical text, A Treatise on Human Nature, published in 1738.

Hume makes this little quip while he's wrapping up the first book of A Treatise on Human Nature. So far, he's been talking about the importance of human understanding and how it needs to be based on reason instead of blind faith.

At the end of the book, Hume decides to make a dig at organized religion by saying that mistakes of faith can cause a lot of damage because people can end up getting killed. On the other hand, he thinks that mistakes of philosophy or reason don't get people riled up because they're based on calm reason and not irrational beliefs.

Where you've heard it

It's unlikely that you've heard this quote in any famous movies or novels, but if you've ever argued with an atheist, we're willing to bet they said some version of it. Even a pro-atheist cartoon uses the same basic logic that Hume is laying down here.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

It ain't a pretentious quote to say, but that doesn't mean it won't make people mad. You've got to be ready for a big argument if you say something like this around anyone who is hardcore religious. After all, what you're basically saying is, "Religion hurts people and philosophy doesn't." However, be prepared to have someone reply that Mein Kampf was technically a book of Adolph Hitler's non-religious philosophy. The ball will be in your court then, Shmoopers.