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OF SUPERSTITION AND ENTHUSIASM
David Hume
1741
；
is grown into a maxim； and is commonly proved； among other
instances； by the pernicious effects of and
； the corruptions of true religion。
These two species of false religion； though both pernicious；
are yet of a very different； and even of a contrary nature。 The
mind of man is subject to certain unaccountable terrors and
apprehensions； proceeding either from the unhappy situation of
private or public affairs； from ill health； from a gloomy and
melancholy disposition； or from the concurrence of all these
circumstances。 In such a state of mind； infinite unknown evils
are dreaded from unknown agents； and where real objects of terror
are wanting； the soul； active to its own prejudice； and fostering
its predominant inclination； finds imaginary ones； to whose power
and malevolence it sets no limits。 As these enemies are entirely
invisible and unknown； the methods taken to appease them are
equally unaccountable； and consist in ceremonies； observances；
mortifications； sacrifices； presents； or in any practice； however
absurd or frivolous； which either folly or knavery recommends to
a blind and terrified credulity。 Weakness； fear； melancholy；
together with ignorance； are； therefore； the true sources of
Superstition。
But the mind of man is also subject to an unaccountable
elevation and presumption； arising from prosperous success； from
luxuriant health； from strong spirits； or from a bold and
confident disposition。 In such a state of mind； the imagination
swells with great； but confused conceptions； to which no
sublunary beauties or enjoyments can correspond。 Every thing
mortal and perishable vanishes as unworthy of attention。 And a
full range is given to the fancy in the invisible regions or
world of spirits； where the soul is at liberty to indulge itself
in every imagination； which may best suit its present taste and
disposition。 Hence arise raptures； transports； and surprising
flights of fancy； and confidence and presumption still
encreasing； these raptures； being altogether unaccountable； and
seeming quite beyond the reach of our ordinary faculties； are
attributed to the immediate inspiration of that Divine Being； who
is the object of devotion。 In a little time； the inspired person
comes to regard himself as a distinguished favourite of the
Divinity； and when this frenzy once takes place； which is the
summit of enthusiasm； every whimsy is consecrated： Human reason；
and even morality are rejected as fallacious guides： And the
fanatic madman delivers himself over； blindly； and with out
reserve； to the supposed illapses of the spirit； and to
inspiration from above。 Hope； pride； presumption； a warm
imagination； together with ignorance； are； therefore； the true
sources of Enthusiasm。
These two species of false religion might afford occasion to
many speculations； but I shall confine myself； at present； to a
few reflections concerning their different influence on
government and society。
My first reflection is； 。 As superstition is
founded on fear； sorrow； and a depression of spirits； it
represents the man to himself in such despicable colours； that he
appears unworthy； in his own eyes； of approaching the divine
presence； and naturally has recourse to any other person； whose
sanctity of life； or； perhaps； impudence and cunning； have made
him be supposed more favoured by the Divinity。 To him the
superstitious entrust their devotions： To his care they recommend
their prayers； petitions； and sacrifices： And by his means； they
hope to render their addresses acceptable to their incensed
Deity。 Hence the origin of Priests；＇2＇ who may justly be regarded
as an invention of a timorous and abject superstition； which；
ever diffident of itself； dares not offer up its own devotions；
but ignorantly thinks to recommend itself to the Divinity； by the
mediation of his supposed friends and servants。 As superstition
is a considerable ingredient in almost all religions； even the
most fanatical； there being nothing but philosophy able entirely
to conquer these unaccountable terrors； hence it proceeds； that
in almost every sect of religion there are priests to be found：
But the stronger mixture there is of superstition； the higher is
the authority of the priesthood。＇3＇
On the other hand； it may be observed； that all enthusiasts
have been free from the yoke of ecclesiastics； and have expressed
great independence in their devotion； with a contempt of forms；
ceremonies； and traditions。 The quakers are the most egregious；
though； at the same time； the most innocent enthusiasts that have
yet been known； and are； perhaps； the only sect； that have never
admitted priests amongst them。 The independents； of all the
English sectaries； approach nearest to the quakers in fanaticism；
and in their freedom from priestly bondage。 The presbyterians
follow after； at an equal distance in both particulars。 In short
this observation is founded in experience； and will also appear
to be founded in reason； if we consider； that； as enthusiasm
arises from a presumptuous pride and confidence； it thinks itself
sufficiently qualified to approach the Divinity； without any
human mediator。 Its rapturous devotions are so fervent； that it
even imagines itself actually to approach him by the way of
contemplation and inward converse； which makes it neglect all
those outward ceremonies and observances； to which the assistance
of the priests appears so requisite in the eyes of their
superstitious votaries。 The fanatic consecrates himself； and
bestows on his own person a sacred character； much superior to
what forms and ceremonious institutions can confer on any other。
My reflection with regard to these species of false
religion is； 。 The violence of this species of religion； when
excited by novelty； and animated by opposition； appears from
numberless instances； of the in Germany； the
in France； the l and other fanatics in
England and the in Scotland。 Enthusiasm being
founded on strong spirits； and a presumptuous boldness of
character； it naturally begets the most extreme resolutions；
especially after it rises to that height as to inspire the
deluded fanatic with the opinion of divine illuminations； and
with a contempt for the common rules of reason； morality； and
prudence。
It is thus enthusiasm produces t