Attributes Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“True and false are attributes of speech not of things. And where speech is not, there is neither truth nor falsehood. Error theremay be, as when we expect that which shall not be; or suspect what has not been: but in neither case can a man be charged with untruth.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Leviathan, 1651
Truth and falsehood belong to language, not to objects; without language there is no truth or falsehood.
In simple terms: Truth is a property of speech, not things.
Key Takeaway
Consider how language shapes reality.
Themes
philosophy
language
ontology
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- debates about reality
- analysis of discourse
- legal arguments
- ethical reasoning
Key Concepts
metaphysics
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language create truth?
- Can something be true without being spoken?
A Different Perspective
Truth claims depend on linguistic context, not objective facts.
