Adam Ferguson Quotes

Adam Ferguson — Scottish Philosopher born on June 20, 1723, died on February 22, 1816

Adam Ferguson, FRSE (in Scottish Gaelic: Adhamh MacFhearghais), also known as Ferguson of Raith (20 June 1723 (O.S.) (1 July, N.S.) – 22 February 1816), was a Scottish philosopher and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment. Ferguson was sympathetic to traditional societies, such as the Highlands, for producing courage and loyalty. He criticized commercial society as making men weak, dishonourable and unconcerned for their community. Ferguson has been called "the father of modern sociology"; he did contribute to the initial development of the subject. His most well known work is his Essay on the History of Civil Society... (wikipedia)

Every step and every movement of the multitude, even in what are termed enlightened ages, are made with equal blindness to the future; and nations stumble upon establishments, which are indeed the result of human action, but not the execution of any human design.

In every commercial state, notwithstanding any pretension to equal rights, the exaltation of a few must depress the many.

Man, in his animal capacity, is qualified to subsist in every climate.

Like the winds that we come we know not whence and blow whither soever they list, the forces of society are derived from an obscure and distant origin. They arise before the date of philosophy, from the instincts, not the speculations of men.

The artist finds, that the more he can confine his attention to a particular part of any work, his productions are the more perfect, and grow under his hands in the greater quantities.

Adam Ferguson Quotes

Login with