Quotessence
Home / Authors / Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes Quotes

Philosopher

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenLeviathanIfsMayLawReasonCausesDesireMindOpinion

Famous Thomas Hobbes Quotes

“So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory. The first maketh men invade for gain; the second, for safety; and the third, for reputation. The first use violence, to make themselves masters of other men's persons, wives, children, and cattle; the second, to defend them; the third, for trifles, as a word, a smile, a different opinion, and any other sign of undervalue, either direct in their persons or by reflection in their kindred, their friends, their nation, their profession, or their name.”

MenFirstsChildrenPersonsDifferentUseThreeNamesNationsCausesOpinionWifeViolenceMastersGloryReflectionGainsDirectThirdsSafetyCompetitionProfessionReputationPrincipalQuarrelsTriflesCattleNature Of ManKindredDifferent OpinionsDiffidence
Book:Leviathan, Parts I and II
Create image

“Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man, the same consequent to the time wherein men live without other security than what their own strength and their own invention shall furnish them withal. In such condition there is no place for industry... 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.”

MenArtWarEarthFacesPoorEnemyWorstConditionsSecurityDangerIndustryLettersAccountsEvery ManViolentInventionSolitaryNastyLeviathanViolent DeathSolitary Man
Author:Thomas Hobbes
Create image

“For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.”

MenJusticeExcuseEloquenceCondemnationAbsolution
Book:The Moral and Political Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury: Never Before Collected Together : To which is Prefixed, the Author's Life, Extracted from that Said to be Written by Himself, ...
Create image