But though there be naturally a wide difference in point of delicacy between one person and another, nothing tends further to encrease and improve this talent, than practice in a particular art, and the frequent survey or contemplation of a particular species of beauty.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hume claims practice and contemplation improve one's ability to perceive beauty and delicacy.
- In plain terms
- Practice improves your taste and ability to see beauty.
- What can you take from it?
- Refine taste through repeated practice and observation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can taste be learned?
- What improves judgment?
Another view
Inherent talent may limit improvement through practice alone.
More from David Hume
But though all the general rules of art are founded only on experience and on the observation of the common sentiments of human nature, we must not imagine, th…
Permalink to quote #61 The same good sense, that directs men in the ordinary occurrences of life, is not hearkened to in religious matters, which are supposed to be placed altogether…
Permalink to quote #63 It is natural for us to seek a Standard of Taste; a rule, by which the various sentiments of men may be reconciled; at least, a decision, afforded, confirming …
Permalink to quote #60
Related quotes
There is nothing more practical than a good theory.
Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev quote #1 A man of knowledge lives by acting, not by thinking about acting.
Carlos CastanedaCarlos Castaneda quote #2 The true method of knowledge is experiment.
William BlakeWilliam Blake quote #2