The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

On rèsiste á l’invasion des armèes; on ne rèsiste pas á l’invasion des idèes.
A stand can be made against invasion by an army; no stand can be made against invasion by an
idea.
‘Histoire d’un Crime’ (written 1851-2, published 1877) pt. 5, sect. 10
La symètrie, c’est l’ennui, et l’ennui est le fond même du deuil. Le dèsespoir baîlle.
Symmetry is tedious, and tedium is the very basis of mourning. Despair yawns.
‘Les Misèrables’ (1862) vol. 2, bk. 4, ch. 1
Jèsus a pleurè, Voltaire a souri; c’est de cette larme divine et de ce sourire humain qu’est faite
la douceur de la civilisation actuelle. (Applaudissements prolongès.)
Jesus wept; Voltaire smiled. Of that divine tear and of that human smile the sweetness of
present civilisation is composed. (Hearty applause.)
Transcript of centenary oration on Voltaire, 30 May 1878, ‘Centennaire de Voltaire’ (1878)
8.155 David Hume 1711-76
Custom, then, is the great guide of human life.
‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding’ (1748) sect. 5, pt. 1
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.
‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding’ (1748) sect. 12, pt. 3
Their credulity increases his impudence: and his impudence overpowers their credulity.
‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding’ (1748) ‘Of Miracles’ pt. 2 (on religious enthusiasts)
We soon learn that there is nothing mysterious or supernatural in the case, but that all proceeds
from the usual propensity of mankind towards the marvellous, and that, though this inclination
may at intervals receive a check from sense and learning, it can never be thoroughly extirpated
from human nature.
‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding’ (1748) ‘Of Miracles’ pt. 2
The Christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot
be believed by any reasonable person without one. Mere reason is insufficient to convince us of
its veracity: and whoever is moved by faith to assent to it, is conscious of a continued miracle in
his own person, which subverts all the principles of his understanding, and gives him a
determination to believe what is most contrary to custom and experience.
‘An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding’ (1748) ‘Of Miracles’ pt. 2
Avarice, the spur of industry, is so obstinate a passion, and works its way through so many real
dangers and difficulties, that it is not likely to be scared by an imaginary danger, which is so
small that it scarcely admits of calculation.
‘Essays’ (1741-2) ‘Of Civil Liberty’
It cannot reasonably be doubted, but a little miss, dressed in a new gown for a dancing-school