Convinced Quote by John Aubrey
![“About Thomas Hobbes: He was 40 years old before he looked on geometry; which happened accidentally. Being in a gentleman's library, Euclid's Elements lay open, and "twas the 47 El. libri I" [Pythagoras' Theorem]. He read the proposition "By God", sayd he, "this is impossible:" So he reads the…” quote by John Aubrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d43/john-aubrey-29611_convinced_about-thomas-hobbes-he-was-40-years-old_1668279.jpg)
“About Thomas Hobbes: He was 40 years old before he looked on geometry; which happened accidentally. Being in a gentleman's library, Euclid's Elements lay open, and "twas the 47 El. libri I" [Pythagoras' Theorem]. He read the proposition "By God", sayd he, "this is impossible:" So he reads the demonstration of it, which referred him back to such a proposition; which proposition he read. That referred him back to another, which he also read. Et sic deinceps, that at last he was demonstratively convinced of that truth. This made him in love with geometry.”
About This Quote
Hobbes discovered geometry later in life, sparked by accidental reading that led to a chain of logical insights, fostering his love for the subject.
In simple terms: Late discovery of geometry sparked his love for
Key Takeaway
.
Themes
Explore unexpected paths to learning.
Mood
intrigued
reflective
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- philosophy
- geometry
- intellectual development
Key Concepts
curiosity
learning
logic
Practical Applications
- academic study
- self‑directed learning
- cross‑disciplinary insight
Questions to Reflect On
- How do chance encounters shape intellectual passions?
- What role does persistence play in mastering complex subjects?
A Different Perspective
May initial exposure can be misleading; deeper study is needed.
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