"Such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned; yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves"
- Thomas Hobbes
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Hobbes speaks to the human propensity to believe highly of oneself and to think that a person is wiser than others. Hobbes suggests that even if individuals acknowledge that others might be more amusing, significant, or found out, they will still think that they are the wisest. This is likely due to the fact that humans are naturally self-indulgent and tend to believe that their own viewpoints and beliefs are superior to those of others. This quote likewise speaks with the concept of pride and conceit, as it implies that individuals are often too happy to accept that another person may be wiser than them. Ultimately, this quote serves as a pointer that it is important to stay humble and open-minded, and to recognize that there are lots of people who are wiser than oneself.