The 'value' or 'worth' of a man is, as of all other things, his price; that is to say, so much as would be given for the use of his power.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hobbes argues that human value is defined by market price or utility rather than inherent dignity.
- In plain terms
- A person's worth is determined by what others are willing to pay for their skills.
- What can you take from it?
- Value is often measured by utility rather than intrinsic worth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you measure your own worth?
- Should people be priced like goods?
Another view
This view reduces human dignity to economic transaction.
More from Thomas Hobbes
The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, prophane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame, or blame:
Permalink to quote #14 By Manners, I mean not here decency of behaviour; as how one man should salute another, or how a man should wash his mouth, or pick his teeth before company, a…
Permalink to quote #16 Desire, to know why, and how, CURIOSITY; such as is in no living creature but Man; so that Man is distinguished, not only by his Reason; but also by this singu…
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.
Publilius SyrusPublilius Syrus quote #43 Human beings are not efficiently designed for a capitalist system of production.
Eric HobsbawmEric Hobsbawm quote #1 Only a fool thinks price and value are the same.
Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado quote #1