Thomas Hobbes quotes - page 4

The doctrine of Right and Wrong, is perpetually disputed, both by Pen and the Sword: Whereas the doctrine of Lines, and Figures, is not so; because men care not, in that subject what be truth, as a thing that crosses no mans ambition, profit, or lust. For I doubt not, but if it had been a thing contrary to any mans right of dominion, or to the interest of men that have dominion, That the three Angles of a Triangle, should be equall to two Angles of a Square; that doctrine should have been, if not disputed, yet by the burning of all books of Geometry, suppressed, as far as he whom it concerned was able. (Thomas Hobbes)
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 Judgement, and Reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
For Appetite with an opinion of attaining, is called HOPE. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
As also the great number of Corporations; which are as it were many lesser Common-wealths in the bowels of a greater, like wormes in the entrayles of a natural man. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
For Warre, consisteth not in Battell onely, or the act of fighting; but in a tract of time, wherein the Will to contend by Battell is sufficiently known: and therefore the notion of Time, is to be considered in the nature of Warre; as it is in the nature of Weather. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
But Aversion wee have for things, not only which we know have hurt us; but also that we do not know whether they will hurt us, or not. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
For he that hath strength enough to protect all, wants not sufficiency to oppresse all. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
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, and such other points of the Small Morals; But those qualities of mankind that concern their living together in Peace and Unity. To which end we are to consider that the Felicity of this life consisteth not in the repose of a mind satisfied. For there is no such Finis ultimus (utmost aim) nor Summum Bonum (greatest good) as is spoken of in the books of the old Moral Philosophers. Nor can a man any more live whose desires are at an end than he whose Senses and Imaginations are at a stand. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
But this priviledge, is allayed by another; and that is, by the priviledge of Absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
The same, without such opinion, DESPAIRE. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
And hereby it comes to passe, that Intemperance, is naturally punished with Diseases; Rashness, with Mischance; Injustice; with Violence of Enemies; Pride, with Ruine; Cowardice, with Oppression; Negligent government of Princes, with Rebellion; and Rebellion with Slaughter. (Thomas Hobbes)
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. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
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. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
A man cannot lay down the right of resisting them that assault him by force, to take away his life. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
He that is taken and put into prison or chains is not conquered, though overcome; for he is still an enemy. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
The privilege of absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
War consisteth not in battle only, or the act of fighting; but in a tract of time, wherein the will to contend by battle is sufficiently known. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
The disembodied spirit is immortal; there is nothing of it that can grow old or die. But the embodied spirit sees death on the horizon as soon as its day dawns. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
A wise man should so write (though in words understood by all men) that wise men only should be able to commend him. (Thomas Hobbes)
The Papacy is not other than the Ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned upon the grave thereof. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
The flesh endures the storms of the present alone; the mind, those of the past and future as well as the present. Gluttony is a lust of the mind. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
Give an inch, he'll take an ell. View quote
Thomas Hobbes
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: For they see their own wit at hand, and other men's at a distance. View quote
Thomas Hobbes