--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it happeneth that a man signifieth…" description: "\"When it happeneth that a man signifieth unto us two contradictory opinions whereof the one is clearly and directly signified, andthe other either drawn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/thomas-hobbes-1127_consequence_when-it-happeneth-that-a-man-signifieth_1589057.jpg" --- # When it happeneth that a man signifieth unto us two… ![“When it happeneth that a man signifieth unto us two contradictory opinions whereof the one is clearly and directly signified, andthe other either drawn from that by consequence, or not known to be contradictory to it; then (when he is not present to explicate himself better) we are to take the…” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/thomas-hobbes-1127_consequence_when-it-happeneth-that-a-man-signifieth_1589057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/thomas-hobbes-1127_consequence_when-it-happeneth-that-a-man-signifieth_1589057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/thomas-hobbes-1127_consequence_when-it-happeneth-that-a-man-signifieth_1589057.jpg) > “When it happeneth that a man signifieth unto us two contradictory opinions whereof the one is clearly and directly signified, andthe other either drawn from that by consequence, or not known to be contradictory to it; then (when he is not present to explicate himself better) we are to take the former of his opinions; for that is clearly signified to be his, and directly, whereas the other might proceed from error in the deduction, or ignorance of the repugnancy.” [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. When faced with conflicting statements, trust the one that is clearly expressed and directly linked to the speaker, because the other may stem from error or ignorance. **In simple terms:** Choose the clear, direct opinion over the ambiguous one. Key Takeaway Prioritize clarity over speculation. Themes logic decision-making communication critical thinking Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - legal arguments - scientific debates - personal disagreements - policy discussions Key Concepts epistemology deduction error analysis Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the clarity of an opinion? - What if both statements seem equally clear? A Different Perspective Ambiguity can persist even after choosing the clearer view, leading to misunderstandings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory/) [Contradictory Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory-opinions-2747668/) [Contradictory Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory-present-6018936/) [Deductions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deductions/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Former](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/former/) [Hermeneutics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hermeneutics/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Known Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-contradictory-6018935/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Unto Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unto-contradictory-6018934/) ## Related quotes > [It is in applied psychology, if anywhere, that today we should be modest and grant validity to a number of apparently contradictory opinions; for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/it-is-in-applied-psychology-if-anywhere-that-today-we-should-be/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [The human soul is hospitable, and will entertain conflicting sentiments and contradictory opinions with much impartiality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/the-human-soul-is-hospitable-and-will-entertain-conflicting/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [The tolerance of the skeptic… accepts the most diverse and indeed the most contradictory opinions, and keeps all his suspicions for the “dogmatist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-guitton/the-tolerance-of-the-skeptic-accepts-the-most-diverse-and-indeed-the/) [Jean Guitton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-guitton/) > [“Too often scholars have thought and even suggested that what happened during and after Constantine was that the church sought to replace the pagan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-witherington-iii/too-often-scholars-have-thought-and-even-suggested-that-what-happened/) [Ben Witherington III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-witherington-iii/) > [A physicist friend of mine once said that in facing death, he drew some consolation from the reflection that he would never again have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/a-physicist-friend-of-mine-once-said-that-in-facing-death-he-drew/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [“There is a moment in the tractate Menahot when the Rabbis imagine what takes place when Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the Torah.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-rosen/there-is-a-moment-in-the-tractate-menahot-when-the-rabbis-imagine/) [Jonathan Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-rosen/) > [“Historical exegesis is only the preliminary part of interpretation; application is its essence. 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