Beast Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“The Imagination that is raised in man (or any other creature imbued with the faculty of imagining) by words, or other voluntary signs, is that we generally call Understanding; and is common to Man and Beasts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Leviathan, 1651
Understanding emerges when words or symbols trigger the mind's imaginative faculty, a process shared by humans and animals.
In simple terms: Words spark imagination, leading to understanding.
Key Takeaway
Use clear symbols to foster comprehension.
Themes
language
imagination
understanding
cognition
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- teaching
- marketing
- legal arguments
- artistic creation
- AI communication
Key Concepts
philosophy
semiotics
cognitive science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do symbols shape our perception of reality?
- Can non‑human animals achieve true understanding?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all creatures interpret symbols similarly, which may not hold true.
![“A covenant not to defend myself from force by force is always void. For ... no man can transfer or lay down his Right to save himself. For the right men have by Nature to protect themselves, when none else can protect them, can by no Covenant be relinquished. ... [The right] to defend ourselves…” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f0/thomas-hobbes-1127_covenant_a-covenant-not-to-defend-myself-from-for_803261.jpg)
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)
