And any practice, recommended to him, which either serves to no purpose in life, or offers the strongest violence to his natural inclinations; that practice he will the more readily embrace, on account of those very circumstances, which should make him absolutely reject it. It seems the more purely religious, because it proceeds from no mixture of any other motive or consideration. And if, for its sake, he sacrifices much of his ease and quiet, his claim of merit appears still to rise upon him, in proportion to the zeal and devotion which he discovers. In restoring a loan, or paying a debt, his divinity is nowise beholden to him; because these acts of justice are what he was bound to perform, and what many would have performed, were there no god in the universe. But if he fast a day, or give himself a sound whipping; this has a direct reference, in his opinion, to the service of God. No other motive could engage him to such austerities. By these distinguished marks of devotion, he has now acquired the divine favour; and may expect, in recompence, protection and safety in this world, and eternal happiness in the next.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hume notes that people often value religious practices that hurt them more than those that help others.
- In plain terms
- People value religious acts that cause suffering more than simple good deeds.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-sacrifice in religion is often overvalued.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is suffering virtuous?
- What counts as merit?
Another view
It discounts the internal meaning of sacrifice for believers.
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