Quotes from Thomas Hobbes

Curiosity draws a man from consideration of the effect, to seek the cause.

The obligation of subjects to the sovereign is understood to last as long, and no longer, than the power lasteth by which he is able to protect them.

Wisdom, properly so called, is nothing else but this: the perfect knowledge of the truth in all matters whatsoever.

For if all things were equally in all men, nothing would be prized.

Every man may think his own cause just till it be heard and judged.

A man cannot lay down the right of resisting them that assault him by force, to take away his life.

Ignorance of the law is no good excuse, where every man is bound to take notice of the laws to which he is subject.

It is many times with a fraudulent Design that men stick their corrupt Doctrine with the Cloves of other mens Wit.

And as in other things, so in men, not the seller, but the buyer determines the Price.

So easy are men to be drawn to believe any thing, from such men as have gotten credit with them; and can with gentleness and dexterity take hold of their fear and ignorance.

The best men are the least suspicious of fraudulent purposes.

Man is distinguished not only by his reason, but also by this singular passion, from all other animals.

Such truth, as opposeth no man's profit, nor pleasure, is to all men welcome.

Leisure is the mother of Philosophy; and Common-wealth, the mother of Peace, and Leisure: Where first were great and flourishing Cities, there was first the study of Philosophy.

In the state of nature profit is the measure of right.

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law

They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion

Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of religion

Sudden glory is the passion which makes those grimaces called laughter.

A man's conscience and his judgment is the same thing; and as the judgment, so also the conscience, may be erroneous.

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

The praise of ancient authors proceeds not from the reverence of the dead, but from the competition and mutual envy of the living.

Fear and I were born twins together.

The passion to be reckoned upon, is fear.