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How did David Hume argue that ideas come from sense impressions?

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Marble bust of Aristotle with a beard and draped robe, showing detailed facial features and wavy hair, set against a dark background. — metaphysics Detail of a Roman copy (2nd century bce) of a Greek alabaster portrait bust of Aristotle (c. 325 bce); in the collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

David Hume argued that all human knowledge originates from experience, specifically through a distinction between impressions and ideas.12

Hume defined impressions as vivid, forceful perceptions—such as sensations, passions, and emotions—that we experience directly. Ideas, by contrast, are the "faint images" or copies of these impressions that remain in the mind when we reflect upon our experiences. According to Hume, the mind does not create ideas independently; rather, it derives them from impressions by compounding, transposing, augmenting, or diminishing the data provided by the senses.134

This relationship is foundational to his empiricism:
* Simple vs. Complex: Every simple idea is a direct copy of a corresponding simple impression. While complex ideas can be constructed by the imagination, they are ultimately composed of these simpler, impression-derived units.143
* Meaning: A term or concept possesses meaning only if it can be traced back to an original impression.3
* Rejection of Innate Ideas: Because all ideas are derived from prior sense experience, Hume concluded that innate ideas do not exist.4

Ultimately, Hume maintained that without the materials provided by sense impressions, the mind would be incapable of forming concepts.4