--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Words are wise men's counters, they do…" description: "\"Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/thomas-hobbes-1127_authority_words-are-wise-men-s-counters-they-do-bu_1156640.jpg" --- # Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them… ![“Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Thomas, or any other doctor whatsoever, if but a man.” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/thomas-hobbes-1127_authority_words-are-wise-men-s-counters-they-do-bu_1156640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/thomas-hobbes-1127_authority_words-are-wise-men-s-counters-they-do-bu_1156640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae5/thomas-hobbes-1127_authority_words-are-wise-men-s-counters-they-do-bu_1156640.jpg) > “Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Thomas, or any other doctor whatsoever, if but a man.” [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. Words are tools for the wise, but fools treat them as valuable only when backed by authority, reducing them to mere status symbols. **In simple terms:** Wise use words; fools value them for status. Key Takeaway Assess the true worth of language beyond authority. Themes language wisdom authority foolishness valuation Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - debates - writing - education - media analysis Key Concepts rhetoric critical thinking semantic value Questions to Reflect On - Do you value words for meaning or status? - How can you discern genuine insight? A Different Perspective Authority can sometimes legitimize useful ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-men/) ## Related quotes > [“Words are wise men's counters; they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/words-are-wise-men-s-counters-they-do-but-reckon-by-them-but-they-are-2/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [“Trust is earned and never given, those who give it freely are fools. 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