Quotes from Thomas Hobbes

Eloquence, with flattery, disposeth men to confide in them that have it; because the former is seeming wisdom, the latter seeming kindness. Add to them military reputation and it disposeth men to adhere and subject themselves to those men that have them. The two former, having given them caution against danger from him, the latter gives them caution against danger from others.

But when I think of how many there are to whose designs it will be advantageous that these principles should be false, when I see that those who maintain contrary doctrines are not corrected, even though they have been punished by a civil war, when I see that the best minds are nourished by the seditious doctrines of the ancient Greeks and Romans, I fear that this writing of mine will be numbered with Plato's Republic, More's Utopia, Bacon's New Atlantis, and similar amusements of the mind.

I put for a general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire of power, that ceases only in death

A natureza do homem é tal que, embora sejam capazes de reconhecer em muitos outros maior inteligência, maior eloqüência ou maior saber, dificilmente acreditam que haja muitos tão sábios como eles próprios. Pois vêem sua própria sabedoria bem de perto e a dos outros homens à distância.

El hombre es un lobo para el hombre

the understanding is by the flame of the passions never enlightened, but dazzled

The Value, or worth of a man, is as of all otther thinks his Price; that is to say, so much as would be given for the use of his Power: and therefore is not absolute; but a thing dependent on the need and judgement of another. An able conductor of Souldiers, is of great Price in time of War present, or imminent; but in Peace not so.

That a man be willing, when others are so too, as farre-forth, as for Peace, and defence of himselfe he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himselfe.

W]hen a man hath . . . granted away his Right; then is he said to be Obliged or Bound, not to hinder those, to whom such Right is granted, or abandoned, from the benefit of it: and that he Ought and it is his Duty, not to make voyd that voluntary act of his own.

M]en have no pleasure, (but on the contrary a great deal of grief) in keeping company, where there is no power to over-awe them all.

The greatest objection is, that of the Practise; when men ask, where, and when, such Power has by Subjects been acknowledged. But one may ask them again, when, or where has there been a Kingdome long free from Sedition and Civill Warre. In those Nations, whose Commonwealths have been long-lived, and not been destroyed, but by forraign warre, the Subjects never did dispute of the Soveraign Power.

Atque metum tantum concepit tunc mea mater. Ut pareret geminos, meque metumque simul.

The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone

Passions unguided are for the most part mere madness.

It is a weak sovereign that has weak subjects; and a weak people whose sovereign wanteth power to rule them at his will.

So liegen also in der menschlichen Natur drei hauptsächliche Konfliktursachen: Erstens Konkurrenz, zweitens Mißtrauen, drittens Ruhmsucht.

I put for a generall inclination of all mankind, a perpetuall and restlesse desire of Power after power, that ceaseth onely in Death.

For as Prometheus, (which interpreted, is, The Prudent Man,) was bound to the hill Caucasus, a place of large prospect, where, an Eagle feeding on his liver, devoured in the day, as much as was repaired in the night: So that man, which looks too far before him, in the care of future time, hath his heart all the day long, gnawed on by Fear of death, poverty, or other calamity; and has no repose, nor pause of his anxiety, but in sleep.

Covenants, without the sword, are but words

The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, profane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame or blame. s

Where shall I turn, what shall I do?' are the voices of people grieving. Idleness is torture. In all times and places, nature abhors a vacuum.

For prudence is but experience, which equal time equally bestows on all men in those things they equally apply themselves unto.

Where shall I turn, what shall I do? are the voices of people grieving. Idleness is torture. In all times and places, nature abhors a vacuum.

Felicity, therefore (by which we mean continual delight), consisteth not in having prospered, but in prospering