Full Idea
The ultimate springs and principles are totally shut up from human enquiry. Elasticity, gravity, cohesion of parts, communication of motion by impulse; these are probably the ultimate causes and principles which we shall ever discover in nature.
Gist of Idea
We can discover some laws of nature, but never its ultimate principles and causes
Source
David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], IV.I.26)
Book Reference
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.30