---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Imagination that is raised in man (or…"
description: "\"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 gener..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/thomas-hobbes-1127_beast_the-imagination-that-is-raised-in-man-or_2139505.jpg"
---

#  The Imagination that is raised in man (or any other…

![“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.” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/thomas-hobbes-1127_beast_the-imagination-that-is-raised-in-man-or_2139505.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/thomas-hobbes-1127_beast_the-imagination-that-is-raised-in-man-or_2139505.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d3/thomas-hobbes-1127_beast_the-imagination-that-is-raised-in-man-or_2139505.jpg)

> “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.”

[Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

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.

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