|
David Hume |
|
. |
|
I
am apt to suspect the Negroes to be naturally inferior to the Whites.
There scarcely ever was a civilized nation of that complexion, nor even
any individual, eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious
manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the
most rude and barbarous of the Whites, such as the ancient Germans, the
present Tartars, have still something eminent about them, in their valour,
form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant
difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had
not made an original distinction between these breeds of men. Not to
mention our colonies, there are Negro slaves dispersed all over Europe, of
whom none ever discovered any symptoms of ingenuity; though low people,
without education, will start up amongst us, and distinguish themselves in
every profession. In Jamaica indeed they talk of one negro as a man of
parts and learning; but 'tis likely he is admired for very slender
accomplishments like a parrot, who speaks a few words plainly.
David
Hume, Of National Characters (1748) in David Hume, Essays: Moral,
Political and Literary, edited by T.H. Green and T. Grose, Longmans, Green
and Co., London, 1875, Vol. 1, p. 252. |
| . |
|
.