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Full Idea
By saying one, one, one, one, and so forward, we know not what number we are at beyond two or three.
Gist of Idea
If we just say one, one, one, one, we don't know where we have got to
Source
Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.12.05)
Book Ref
Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.89
A Reaction
This makes ordinals sound like meta-numbers.