The errors of definitions multiply themselves according as the reckoning proceeds; and lead men into absurdities, which at last they see but cannot avoid, without reckoning anew from the beginning.
Interpretation
Misunderstandings can grow and complicate our understanding, leading us to recognize our mistakes yet struggle to correct them.
This quote by Thomas Hobbes highlights the cumulative effect of misunderstandings or incorrect definitions. As one builds upon flawed concepts, the complications and absurdities increase, creating a situation where individuals may recognize their errors yet find it challenging to revert to a more accurate understanding. This reflects the nature of human reasoning and the importance of clarity in definitions to avoid confusion.
In practice
In a debate about historical events, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of accurate definitions to avoid confusion.
Baptism is the sacrament of allegiance of them that are to be received into the Kingdom of God, that is to say, into Eternal life, that is to say, to Remission of Sin. For as Eternal life was lost by the committing, so it is recovered by the remitting of men's sins.
Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.
For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.
Scientia potentia est, sed parva; quia scientia egregia rara est, nec proinde apparens nisi paucissimis, et in paucis rebus. Scientiae enim ea natura est, ut esse intelligi non possit, nisi ab illis qui sunt scientia praediti.
The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
Part of our essential humanity is paying respect to what God gave us and what will be here a long time after we're gone.
The worldwide financial and economic crisis seems to highlight their distortions and above all the gravely deficient human perspective, which reduces man to one of his needs alone, namely, consumption. Worse yet, human beings themselves are nowadays considered as consumer goods which can be used and thrown away.
The words of confirmation into the Church are an invitation: 'Receive the Holy Ghost.' And that choice must be made not once, but every day, every hour, every minute.
For outward show is a wonderful perverter of the reason.
The world is not given by our fathers but borrowed from our children.
Dangerous acts can be done safely in a community which thinks and feels rightly, which would be the way to hell if they were executed by those who think and feel wrongly.
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