David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) Ch.XII, Part III.
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If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.

— David on Reason

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion." in the context of "David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) Ch.XII, Part III." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Reason" (H) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
David

About David

King David (d. ca. 961 BC) was according to the Hebrew Bible, the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel.