Full Idea
We learn the influence of our will from experience alone.
Gist of Idea
Only experience teaches us about our wills
Source
David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], VII.I.52)
Book Reference
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.66
A Reaction
I can, of course, produce inductive generalisations about what my will can achieve, based on some limited experiences. "I know I can master that". Hobbes (and others) say we have no experience of a 'will'. Hume should be more sceptical!