# Section VIII: Of Beauty and Deformity explained — A Treatise of Human Nature > Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume. ## What happens Hume argues that beauty and deformity, whether in our own bodies or external objects, produce pleasure or pain, which, when related to self, give rise to pride or humility. He contends that beauty is essentially a form that produces pleasure, and deformity a structure that conveys pain, and that this power of producing sensations is the common cause of pride and humility. He supports this with examples from utility, architecture, and surprising adventures, and addresses objections regarding health and sickness, showing that only constant and peculiar causes affect pride and humility. ## Themes in this chapter ### Passions and the Self Pride and humility are passions directed at the self, and beauty or deformity of the body, being closely related to self, triggers these passions through the double relation of impressions and ideas. ### Sympathy and Social Influence Hume notes that men consider the sentiments of others in judging themselves, as seen in the shame of diseases that are dangerous or disagreeable to others, indicating social influence on passions. ### Custom and General Rules Beauty is partly derived from custom and utility, and the constant nature of certain causes (like health) affects whether they produce pride or humility, showing the role of custom in our judgments. ## Character check-ins ### David Hume Author and narrator, presenting his theory of pride and humility in relation to beauty and deformity. ## Key lines > But beauty of all kinds gives us a peculiar delight and satisfaction; as deformity produces pain, upon whatever subject it may be placed, and whether surveyed in an animate or inanimate object. All forms of beauty bring us a special pleasure, while deformity causes pain, regardless of the object it is found in, whether living or not. _Hume establishes the foundational link between beauty/deformity and pleasure/pain._ > If the beauty or deformity, therefore, be placed upon our own bodies, this pleasure or uneasiness must be converted into pride or humility, as having in this case all the circumstances requisite to produce a perfect transition of impressions and ideas. So when beauty or deformity is in our own bodies, the resulting pleasure or pain turns into pride or humility, because all conditions for the transition of impressions and ideas are met. _This explains the mechanism by which bodily beauty leads to pride and deformity to humility._ > That shape, which produces strength, is beautiful in one animal; and that which is a sign of agility in another. A form that indicates strength is considered beautiful in one animal, while a form that suggests agility is beautiful in another. _Hume uses this to show that beauty often derives from utility or the idea of convenience._ > The order and convenience of a palace are no less essential to its beauty, than its mere figure and appearance. The layout and practicality of a palace are just as important to its beauty as its shape and look. _Further evidence that utility contributes to our sense of beauty._ > It is not the beauty of the body alone that produces pride, but also its strength and force. Pride is not only caused by bodily beauty but also by physical strength and power. _Hume extends the causes of pride to include strength, which is a form of power._ > Thus we are vain of the surprising adventures we have met with, the escapes we have made, and dangers we have been exposed to. We take pride in the amazing adventures we've had, the narrow escapes, and the dangers we've faced. _Surprising events related to ourselves produce pride, illustrating the role of novelty and relation._ > Hence the origin of vulgar lying; where men without any interest, and merely out of vanity, heap up a number of extraordinary events, which are either the fictions of their brain, or if true, have at least no connection with themselves. This is why common people lie, not for gain but out of vanity, inventing extraordinary events or claiming others' adventures as their own to boost their pride. _Hume uses this to demonstrate that the relation of the event to self is necessary for pride._ > Now as health and sickness vary incessantly to all men, and there is none, who is solely or certainly fixed in either, these accidental blessings and calamities are in a manner separated from us, and are never considered as connected with our being and existence. Because health and sickness change constantly for everyone, and no one is permanently in one state, these temporary conditions are seen as separate from our true self and not linked to our identity. _This explains why health and sickness do not typically cause pride or humility._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/section-viii-of-beauty-and-deformity - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters