Hobbes in Griceian Key -- and with a few Grice notes thrown in for good measure

Speranza

From Leviathan

Hobbes writes:

"A sign is the event antecedent of the consequent."

"And, contrarily, the consequent of the antecedent, when the like consequences have been observed before."

"And the oftener they have been observed, the less uncertain is the sign."

"And therefore he that has most experience in any kind of business has most signs whereby to guess at the future time, and consequently is the most prudent."

"And so much more prudent than he that is new in that kind of business, as not to be equalled by any advantage of natural and extemporary wit, though perhaps many young men think the contrary."

"Nevertheless, it is not prudence that distinguisheth man from beast."

"There be beasts that at a year old observe more and pursue that which is for their good more prudently than a child can do at ten."

"Though by the help of speech, and method, the same faculties may be improved to such a height as to distinguish men from all other living creatures."