Books Quote by Thomas Hobbes
““Therefor I doubt not but, if it had been a thing contrary to any man’s right of dominion, or to the interest of men that have dominion, ‘that the three angles of a triangle should be equal to two angles of a square,’ that doctrine should have been, if not disputed, yet by the burning of all books of geometry suppressed, as far as he whom it concerned was able.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Leviathan, 1651
If a geometric truth contradicted authority, it would be suppressed, showing power can deny knowledge.
In simple terms: Power can hide truth.
Key Takeaway
Question authority when it suppresses facts.
Themes
authority
knowledge
geometry
suppression
truth
politics
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy making
- education reform
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
political theory
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the dangers of suppressing scientific truths?
- How can societies protect intellectual freedom?
A Different Perspective
May may overlook the value of dissent.
