---
title: "All sentiment is right; because sentiment has a reference to nothing … — David Hume Quote #55 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "All sentiment is right; because sentiment has a reference to nothing beyond itself, and is always real, wherever a man is conscious of it. But all de… — a quote by David Hume."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # All sentiment is right; because sentiment has a reference to nothing beyond itself, and is always real, wherever a man is conscious of it. But all determinations of the understanding are not right; because they have a reference to something beyond themselves, to wit, real matter of fact; and are not always conformable to that standard.

[David Hume](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume)\#55

[Truth](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume/truth/)[Sentiment](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume/sentiment/)[Fact](https://quotesby.net/topics/fact/)[Feeling](https://quotesby.net/topics/feeling/)[Understanding](https://quotesby.net/topics/understanding/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Feelings are always valid for the person; judgments about facts can be wrong.In plain termsYour feelings are real; your facts might be wrong.What can you take from it?Respect feelings, but verify facts.

### Where it applies

- conflict resolution
- emotional validation
- debate

### Putting it to work

- separate feelings from facts

### Questions to consider

- Is a feeling wrong if the fact is wrong?

### Another view

Feelings can sometimes contradict reality in harmful ways.

## More from David Hume

1. > The great end of all human industry, is the attainment of happiness. For this were arts invented, sciences cultivated, laws ordained, and societies modelled, b…

[Permalink to quote \#54](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume/54/ "Permalink to quote 54")
2. > Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty. One person may eve…

[Permalink to quote \#56](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume/56/ "Permalink to quote 56")
3. > If nature has been frugal in her gifts and endowments, there is the more need of art to supply her defects. If she has been generous and liberal, know that she…

[Permalink to quote \#53](https://quotesby.net/David-Hume/53/ "Permalink to quote 53")

## Related quotes

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2. > Embla lies with each thing, Ask looks and knows. Understanding without explanation they depart and separate.

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3. > First of all: I am tired. I am true of heart! And also: You are tired. You are true of heart!

[Dave Eggers](https://quotesby.net/Dave-Eggers)[Dave Eggers quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/Dave-Eggers/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")

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