Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, in some older texts Thomas Hobbs of Malmsbury, was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy. His 1651 book Leviathan established social contract theory, the foundation of most later Western political philosophy...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth5 April 1588
english-philosopher money reckon wise words
Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon with them, but they are the money of fools.
wise wisdom witty
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. But this proveth rather that men are in that point equal, than unequal. For there is not ordinarily a greater sign of the equal distribution of any thing than that every man is contented with his share.
wise men doctors
Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Thomas, or any other doctor whatsoever, if but a man.
wise wisdom writing
A wise man should so write (though in words understood by all men) that wise men only should be able to commend him.
wise wisdom witty
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.
wise men fool
Words are the counters of wise men, and the money of fools.
carnal continued curiosity delight desire generation knowledge lust perseverance short
Desire to know why, and how - curiosity, which is a lust of the mind, that a perseverance of delight in the continued and indefatigable generation of knowledge - exceedeth the short vehemence of any carnal pleasure.
carnal continued curiosity delight desire generation knowledge lust perseverance short
Desire to know why, and how -- curiosity, which is a lust of the mind, that a perseverance of delight in the continued and indefatigable generation of knowledge -- exceedeth the short vehemence of any carnal pleasure.
danger fear life short violent worst
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
apparent either future obtain original power present
The power of a man, to take it universally, is his present means, to obtain some future apparent good; and is either original or instrumental.
life philosophical men
The privilege of absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only.
apply bestows english-philosopher equal equally prudence themselves
Prudence is but experience, which equal time, equally bestows on all men, in those things they equally apply themselves unto.
english-philosopher nature state
In the state of nature profit is the measure of right.
fear himself invisible natural religion
Fear of things invisible in the natural seed of that which everyone in himself calleth religion.