Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, best known for his work on political philosophy. His ideas have had a lasting impact on the Western intellectual tradition and continue to be discussed and debated to this day. In this article, we will analyze 20 of Hobbes’ classic quotes and examine how his views have influenced subsequent thinkers.
“The condition of man…is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.”
This quote reflects Hobbes’ belief in the inherently competitive and conflict-ridden nature of human society. He argued that without a central authority to maintain order, people would constantly be at each other’s throats. This perspective has had a profound impact on political theory, particularly in discussions of the role of the state in regulating human behavior and preventing violence.
“The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
Hobbes’ bleak assessment of human existence is a cornerstone of his philosophy. He believed that in the absence of a strong government, life would be characterized by chaos and suffering. This view has shaped discussions of the social contract, as well as debates about the legitimacy of state authority.
“The original of all great and lasting societies consisted not in mutual good will, but in mutual fear.”
Hobbes argued that fear, rather than friendship or cooperation, is the primary force that holds societies together. This perspective has been influential in discussions of power dynamics, as well as in debates about the nature of human relationships and the foundations of social order.
“The passions that incline men to peace are fear of death, desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living, and a hope by their industry to obtain them.”
Hobbes identified fear, desire, and hope as the fundamental motivations that drive human behavior. His focus on these primal instincts has resonated in discussions of human nature, as well as in debates about the role of government in shaping individual incentives and aspirations.
“To this war of every man against every man, this also is consequent, that nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have there no place.”
Hobbes’ assertion that in a state of nature, there can be no concept of justice or morality has challenged traditional notions of natural law and moral philosophy. This perspective has been influential in discussions of ethical relativism, as well as in debates about the origins of moral principles and the role of society in shaping human conduct.
“The right of nature…is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life.”
Hobbes’ emphasis on individual liberty and self-preservation has been influential in discussions of political freedom and personal autonomy. This perspective has shaped debates about the nature of rights and the role of the state in protecting individual interests.
“And where the natural right hath place, there hath no injustice. For there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of moving and removing such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
Hobbes’ vision of the state of nature as a Hobbes’ assertion that without a strong government, human life would be characterized by suffering and chaos has been influential in discussions of the social contract, as well as in debates about the role of the state in shaping human society.
“The passions that incitemen to peace, are fear of death; desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living; and a hope by their industry to obtain them. And reason suggests convenient articles of peace, upon which men may be drawn to agreement.”
Hobbes’ focus on fear, desire, and hope as the primary motivators of human behavior has been influential in discussions of human nature, as well as in debates about the role of government in shaping individual incentives and aspirations.
“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.”
Hobbes’ assertion that the obligation of citizens to the government is contingent on the government’s ability to protect them has been influential in discussions of political authority and the legitimacy of state power.
“The right of nature, which writers commonly call jus naturale, is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life; and consequently, of doing any thing which, in his own judgment and reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto.”
Hobbes’ emphasis on the individual’s right to self-preservation and self-determination has been influential in discussions of political freedom and personal autonomy, as well as in debates about the nature of rights and the role of the state in protecting individual interests.
“A law of nature, lex naturalis, is a precept, or general rule, found out by reason, by which a man is forbidden to do that which is destructive of his life, or takes away the means of preserving the same; and to omit that by which he thinks it may be best preserved.”
Hobbes’ conception of natural law as a set of rules derived from reason and aimed at preserving individual life has been influential in discussions of ethics and morality, as well as in debates about the role of government in shaping human conduct.
“Where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice. Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.”
Hobbes’ assertion that without a central authority, there can be no concept of justice or morality has challenged traditional notions of natural law and moral philosophy. This perspective has been influential in discussions of ethical relativism, as well as in debates about the origins of moral principles and the role of society in shaping human conduct.
“Such war as is of every man against every man.”
Hobbes’ conception of the state of nature as a constant state of conflict and competition has been influential in discussions of the nature of human society, as well as in debates about the role of government in regulating human behavior and preventing violence.
“So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory.”
Hobbes’ identification of competition, diffidence, and glory as the primary causes of conflict among humans has been influential in discussions of human nature, as well as in debates about the origins of social strife and the role of government in maintaining order.
“It is not wisdom to be only wise, and on the other side, it is not folly to be only foolish. There be three parts of wisdom: first, to discern what is true; secondly, to discern what is good; and thirdly, to discern what is the means of attaining good.”
Hobbes’ emphasis on the importance of discerning truth, goodness, and the means of achieving positive outcomes has been influential in discussions of ethics and moral philosophy, as well as in debates about the role of reason in shaping human behavior and society.
“The power of a man, to take it universally, is his present means to obtain some future apparent good.”
Hobbes’ focus on power as the primary motivator of human behavior has been influential in discussions of political theory, as well as in debates about the nature of individual incentives and the role of government in shaping human conduct.
“For such is the nature of men that, howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned, yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves.”
Hobbes’ observation of human pride and self-confidence has been influential in discussions of human nature, as well as in debates about the nature of knowledge and the role of reason in shaping human society.
“By art is created that great Leviathan called a Commonwealth, or State (in Latin, Civitas), which is but an artificial man.”
Hobbes’ comparison of the state to an artificial creation has been influential in discussions of political theory, as well as in debates about the origins of government and the nature of political organization.
“Good and evil are names that signify our appetites and aversions; which in different tempers, customs, and doctrines of men, are different.”
Hobbes’ assertion that good and evil are relative concepts that reflect individual desires and aversions has challenged traditional notions of moral philosophy and natural law. This perspective has been influential in discussions of ethical relativism, as well as in debates about the nature of human values and the role of society in shaping moral principles.
“And from that, the rest of the passions, as he will himself for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life; and consequently, of doing any thing which, in his own judgment and reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto.”
Hobbes’ emphasis on individual self-preservation and self-determination has been influential in discussions of political freedom and personal autonomy, as well as in debates about the nature of rights and the role of the state in protecting individual interests.
Thomas Hobbes’ ideas have had a profound impact on Western intellectual tradition. His philosophy has shaped discussions of political theory, human nature, ethics, and the nature of society. By examining his classic quotes and their implications, we can gain a deeper understanding of Hobbes’ contributions to philosophy and appreciate his lasting influence on subsequent thinkers.
