“Covenants, without the sword, are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all.” – Thomas Hobbes
Today we share the words of English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) from his famous work ‘Leviathan’, which was originally published in 1651.
A Top Level Review Of ‘Leviathan’
In ‘Leviathan’ Hobbes explores the nature of society and government. He discusses the concept of the social contract, where individuals give up some freedoms to a central authority in exchange for protection and security. Hobbes argues for the necessity of a strong, centralized government to maintain order and prevent chaos in society. He describes the state of nature as a condition of constant war and fear, where life is harsh and short. At the top level, ‘Leviathan’ delves into themes of human nature, political authority, and the role of government in ensuring social order and stability.
Absolute Sovereignty – Hobbes advocates for absolute sovereignty, arguing that a powerful central authority is necessary to maintain order and prevent the inherent chaos and conflict that arise from human nature. In the book’s title metaphor, “the Leviathan” represents the powerful, centralized government that Hobbes believes is essential for ensuring social order and stability in a world marked by human nature’s inherent tendencies towards conflict and self-interest.
Human Nature – Hobbes portrays humans as inherently self-interested and driven by a desire for power and self-preservation, shaping his views on the necessity of a strong government to control these natural inclinations.
Social Contract Theory – Hobbes introduces the idea of a social contract where individuals agree to give up some of their freedoms to a central authority in exchange for protection and security.
State of Nature – Hobbes describes the state of nature as a condition of constant war and fear, where life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” highlighting the need for a strong government to prevent chaos.
Quotes From ‘Leviathan’
Quotes are organized by topic and excerpted from the Oxford World’s Classics edition of ‘Leviathan’, published in 2008 and featuring an introduction from J.C.A. Gaskin.
Autonomy
“There is no other act of man’s mind… but to be born a man, and live with the use of his five senses… For besides sense, and thoughts, and the train of thoughts, the mind of man has no other motion; though by the help of speech, and method, the same faculties may be improved to such a height, as to distinguish men from all other living creatures.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 3 – Of The Consequence Or Train Of Imaginations
Groups
“The greatest of human powers, is that which is compounded of the powers of most men, united by consent, in one person, natural, or civil, that has the use of all their powers depending on his will; such as is the power of a commonwealth… to have friends, is power: for they are strengths united.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
Liberty
“Desire of ease, and sensual delight, disposeth men to obey a common power… Desire of knowledge, and arts of peace, inclineth men to obey a common power… Fear of oppression, disposeth a man to anticipate, or to seek aid by society: for there is no other way by which a man can secure his life and liberty.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 11 – Of The Difference Of Manners
“By LIBERTY, is understood, according to the proper signification of the word, the absence of external impediments…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 14 – Of The First And Second Natural Laws, And Of Contracts
“In democracy, LIBERTY is to be supposed… no man is FREE in any other government.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 21 – Of The Liberty Of Subjects
“But the right of nature, that is, the natural liberty of man, may by the civil law be abridged, and restrained; nay, the end of making laws, is no other, but such restraint; without the which there cannot possibly be any peace. And law was brought into the world for nothing else, but to limit the natural liberty of particular men, in such manner, as they might not hurt, but assist one another, and join together against a common enemy.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 26 – Of Civil Laws
Social Capital
“… riches joined with liberality, is power; because it procureth friends, and servants: without liberality, not so: because in this case they defend not; but expose men to envy, as a prey.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“To speak to another with consideration to appear before him with decency and humility, is to honour him… To hearken to a man’s counsel, or discourse of what kind soever, is to honour; as a sign we think him wise, or eloquent, or witty… To do those things to another, which he takes for signs of honour, or which the law or custom makes so, is to honour… To agree with in opinion, is to honour; as being a sign of approving his judgment, and wisdom… To imitate, is to honour… To honour those another honours, is to honour him; as a sign of approbation of his judgment…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“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.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 13 – Of The Natural Condition Of Mankind As Concerning Their Felicity, And Misery
“And seeing every man is presumed to do all things in order to his own benefit, no man is a fit arbitrator in his own cause…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 15 – Of Other Laws Of Nature
“The final cause, end, or design of men (who naturally love liberty, and dominion over others) in the introduction of that restraint upon themselves, is the foresight of their own preservation, and of a more contented life thereby; that is to say, of getting themselves out from that miserable condition of war, which is necessarily consequent to the natural possessions of men, when there is no visible power to keep them in awe, and tie them by fear of punishment to the performance of their covenants… For the laws of nature (as justice, equity, modesty, mercy, and (in sum) doing to others, as we would be done to) of themselves, without the terror of some power, to cause them to be observed, are contrary to our natural passions… And covenants, without the sword, are but words…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 17 – Of The Causes, Generation, And Definition Of A Commonwealth
Sovereignty
“Art goes yet further, imitating that rational and most excellent work of nature, man. For by art is created that great Leviathan called a Commonwealth, or State, which is but an artificial man; though of greater stature and strength than the natural, for whose protection and defence it was intended; and in which, the sovereignty is an artificial soul, as giving life and motion to the whole body; themagistrates, and other officers of judicature and execution, artificial joints; reward and punishment (by which fastened to the seat of the sovereignty, every joint and member is moved to perform his duty) and the nerves, that do the same in the body natural; the wealth and riches of all the particular members, are the strength; the people’s safety its business; counsellors, by whom all things needful for it to know, are suggested unto it, are the memory; equity and laws, an artificial reason and will; concord, health; sedition, sickness; and civil war, death. Lastly, the pacts and covenants, by which the parts of this body politic were at first made, set together, and united, resemble the fiat, or the let us make man, pronounced by God in the creation.” – The Introduction
“The only way to erect such a common power… is to confer all their power and strength upon one man… to appoint one man, or assembly of men, to bear their person… This done, the multitude so united in one person, is called a COMMONWEALTH. This is the generation of that great LEVIATHAN… For by this authority, given him by every particular man in the commonwealth, he hath the use of so much power and strength conferred on him, that by terror thereof, he is enabled to conform the wills of them all, to peace at home, and mutual aid against their enemies abroad… And he that carrieth this person, is called SOVEREIGN, and said to have sovereign power…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 17 – Of The Causes, Generation, And Definition Of A Commonwealth
“… it is annexed to the sovereignty, to be judge of what opinions and doctrines are averse… it is annexed to the sovereignty, the whole power of prescribing the rules… it is annexed to the sovereignty, the right of judicature… it is annexed to the sovereignty, the right of making war, and peace with other nations, and commonwealths… it is annexed to the sovereignty, the choosing of all counsellors, ministers, magistrates, and officers, both in peace, and war… to the sovereign is committed the power of rewarding with riches, or honour; and of punishing with corporal, or pecuniary punishment, or with ignominy every subject according to the law he hath formerly made… To the sovereign… it belongeth also to give titles of honour; and to appoint what order of place, and dignity, each man shall hold; and what signs of respect, in public or private meetings, they shall give to one another…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 18 – Of The Rights Of Sovereigns By Institution
“For in the differences of private men, to declare, what is equity, what is justice, and what is moral virtue, and to make them binding, there is need of the ordinances of sovereign power, and punishments to be ordained for such as shall break them…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 26 – Of Civil Laws
“The safety of the people, requireth… that justice be equally administered to all degrees of people… The inequality of subjects, proceedeth from the acts of sovereign power… Impunity maketh insolence; insolence, hatred; and hatred, an endeavor to pull down all oppressing and contumelious greatness, though with the ruin of the commonwealth.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 30 – Of The Office Of The Sovereign Representative
“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; and consequently, of doing any thing, which in his own judgment, and reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto… “ – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 14 – Of The First And Second Natural Laws, And Of Contracts
“For he is free, that can be free when he will… he that is bound to himself only, is not bound.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 26 – Of Civil Laws
“To the care of the sovereign, belongeth the making of good laws… A good law is that, which is needful, for the good of the people, and withal perspicuous…Unnecessary laws are not good laws; but traps for money…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 30 – Of The Office Of The Sovereign Representative
“It is a weak sovereign, that has weak subjects; and a weak people, whose sovereign wanteth power to rule them at his will.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 30 – Of The Office Of The Sovereign Representative
“That the condition of mere nature, that is to say, of absolute liberty, such as is theirs, that neither are sovereigns, nor subjects, is anarchy, and the condition of war…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 31 – Of The Kingdom Of God By Nature
Trust
“To believe, to trust, to rely on another, is to honour him…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
Virtues
“… it is not prudence that distinguisheth man from beast… prudence is a presumption of the future, contracted from the experience of time past…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 3 – Of The Consequence Or Train Of Imaginations
“And therefore in reasoning, a man must take heed of words; which besides the signification of what we imagine of their nature, have a signification also of the nature, disposition and interest of the speaker; such as are the names of virtues, and vices; for one man calleth wisdom, what another called fear, and one cruelty, what another justice; one prodigality, what another magnanimity and one gravity, what another stupidity…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 4 – Of Speech
“These simple passions called appetite, desire, love, aversion, hate, joy and grief, have their names for divers considerations diversified…
– … expectation, that proceeds from foresight of the end, or consequence of… those things [that] in the sense please… are generally called JOY. In like manner, displeasures, are some in the sense, and called PAIN, others, in the expectation of consequences, and are called GRIEF.
– …appetite with an opinion of attaining, is called HOPE.
– The same, without such opinion, DESPAIR.
– Aversion, with opinion of HURT from the object, FEAR.
– The same with hope of avoiding that hurt by resistance, COURAGE.
– Sudden courage, ANGER.
– Constant hope, CONFIDENCE of ourselves.
– Constant despair, DIFFIDENCE of ourselves.
– Anger for great hurt done to another, when we conceive the same to be done by injury, INDIGNATION.
– Desire of good to another, BENEVOLENCE, GOOD WILL, CHARITY. If to man generally, GOOD NATURE.
– Desire of riches, COVETOUSNESS…
– Desire of office, or precedence, AMBITION…
– Desire of things that conduce but a little to our ends; and fear of things that are but of little hindrance, PUSILLANIMITY.
– Contempt of little helps, and hindrances, MAGNANIMITY.
– Magnanimity, in danger of death, or wounds, VALOUR, FORTITUDE.
– Magnanimity, in the use of riches, LIBERALITY…
– Love of persons for society, KINDNESS…
– Joy, from apprehension of novelty, ADMIRATION…
– Grief, for the discovery of some defect of ability, is SHAME…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 6 – Of The Inferior Beginnings Of Voluntary Motions; Commonly Called The Passions
“VIRTUE generally, in all sorts of subjects, is somewhat that is valued for eminence; and consisteth in comparison. For if all things were equal in all men, nothing would be prized. And by virtues INTELLECTUAL, are always understood such abilities of the mind, as men praise, value, and desire should be in themselves; and go commonly under the name of a good wit; though the same word wit, be used also, to distinguish one certain ability from the rest.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 8 – Of The Virtues Commonly Called Intellectual
“But they that observe their differences, and dissimilitudes; which is called distinguishing, and discerning, and judging between thing and thing; in case, such discerning be not easy, are said to have a good judgment: and particularly in matter of conversation and business; wherein, times, places, and persons are to be discerned, this virtue is called DISCRETION.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 8 – Of The Virtues Commonly Called Intellectual
“Good success is power: because it maketh reputation of wisdom…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“Reputation of prudence in the conduct of peace or war, is power; because to prudent men, we commit the government of ourselves, more willingly than to others.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“Eloquence is power: because it is seeming prudence.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“The public worth of a man, which is the value set on him by the commonwealth, is that which men commonly call DIGNITY.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 10 – Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthiness
“Men that have a strong opinion of their own wisdom in matter of government, are disposed to ambition.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 11 – Of The Difference Of Manners
“As justice dependeth on antecedent covenant; so does GRATITUDE depend on antecedent grace…” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 15 – Of Other Laws Of Nature
“The laws of nature are immutable and eternal; for injustice, ingratitude, arrogance, pride, iniquity, acception of persons, and the rest, can never be made lawful… means of peace, which are justice, gratitude, modesty, equity, mercy, and the rest… are good; that is to say; moral virtues; and their contrary vices, evil.” – Part 1 – Of Man – Chapter 15 – Of Other Laws Of Nature
“And for lust, what it wants in the lasting, it hath in the vehemence…” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 27 – Of Crimes, Excuses, And Extenuations
“Of all passions that which inclineth men least to break the laws, is fear.” – Part 2 – Of Commonwealth – Chapter 27 – Of Crimes, Excuses, And Extenuations
Final Thoughts
Thomas Hobbes’ ‘Leviathan’ remains one of the most influential works in political philosophy, offering a stark yet compelling vision of human nature and the necessity of government. His famous observation that life in the state of nature would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about the role of government and the balance between individual liberty and collective security.
What makes Hobbes particularly relevant today is his unflinching examination of power dynamics and human motivations. His insights into how fear, ambition, and self-interest shape political behavior feel remarkably prescient in our modern political landscape. While we may debate his conclusion that absolute sovereignty is necessary, his fundamental premise—that humans need structured systems to prevent chaos and enable cooperation—remains difficult to refute.
Perhaps most striking is Hobbes’ practical wisdom about human relationships and social dynamics. His observations about trust, honor, reputation, and the various virtues reveal a thinker who understood not just abstract political theory, but the messy realities of human interaction. Whether discussing the power of eloquence, the importance of gratitude, or the role of fear in maintaining order, Hobbes demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what motivates people and binds societies together.
Reading these quotes in 2025, we’re reminded that while our political systems have evolved far beyond Hobbes’ vision of absolute monarchy, the fundamental questions he raised—about authority, liberty, security, and the social contract—remain as vital and contested as ever. His work challenges us to think seriously about why we submit to government authority and what we gain (and lose) in that exchange.
Thanks for reading!