# Of Speech explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Hobbes explores the origin, use, and abuse of speech, emphasizing its role in enabling reason, science, and the registration of thought through names and definitions. He distinguishes between proper and universal names, explains how truth and falsehood arise from the correct ordering of names in affirmations, and warns against the inconstant signification of words influenced by passion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Passions

Hobbes discusses how words acquire inconstant signification due to differing passions and dispositions, affecting reasoning and communication.

## Character check-ins

### Aristotle

Mentioned as an authority whose name is valued by fools, contrasting with true reasoning based on definitions.

### Cicero

Cited alongside Aristotle and Thomas as an example of a doctor whose authority is misused by those who value words without understanding.

## Key lines

> For 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.

Words are tools for calculation in the wise, but fools treat them as currency, trusting the authority of famous thinkers rather than using reason.

_Hobbes criticizes the uncritical acceptance of authority in matters of truth._

> Seeing then that truth consisteth in the right ordering of names in our affirmations, a man that seeketh precise truth had need to remember what every name he uses stands for, and to place it accordingly, or else he will find himself entangled in words, as a bird in lime twigs, the more he struggles the more belimed.

Truth depends on correctly defining and arranging words; without this, a person becomes hopelessly confused, like a bird caught in sticky lime.

_Hobbes emphasizes the importance of clear definitions for attaining scientific knowledge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/iv-of-speech
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters