A naturall foole that could never learn by heart the order of numerall words, as one , two , and three , may observe every stroak of the Clock, and nod to it, or say one, one, one; but can never know what houre it strikes. Thomas Hobbes More Quotes by Thomas Hobbes More Quotes From Thomas Hobbes Desire of praise disposeth to laudable actions. Thomas Hobbes praiseactiondesire No Discourse whatsoever, can End in absolute Knowledge of Fact. Thomas Hobbes atheismendsfacts Thoughts are to the Desires as Scouts and Spies, to range abroad, and find the way to the things Desired. Thomas Hobbes spydesireway I think, therefore matter is capable of thinking. Thomas Hobbes capablematterthinking For all laws are general judgements, or sentences of the legislator; as also every particular judgement is a law to him whose case is judged. Thomas Hobbes casesjudgementlaw But if one Subject giveth Counsell to another, to do anything contrary to the Lawes, whether that Counsell proceed from evil intention, or from ignorance onely, it is punishable by the Common-wealth; because igorance of the Law, is no good excuse, where every man is bound to take notice of the Lawes to which he is subject. Thomas Hobbes ignorancelawmen Time, and Industry, produce everyday new knowledge. Thomas Hobbes produceindustryeveryday The law is more easily understood by few than many words. For all words are subject to ambiguity, and therefore multiplication of words in the body of the law is multiplication of ambiguity. Besides, it seems to imply (by too much diligence) that whosoever can evade the words is without the compass of the law. Thomas Hobbes too-muchbodylaw 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. Thomas Hobbes leviathanpowerlong 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 wisdomwisewriting A man's conscience and his judgment is the same thing; and as the judgment, so also the conscience, may be erroneous. Thomas Hobbes judgingmaymen No mans error becomes his own Law; nor obliges him to persist in it. Thomas Hobbes errorslawmistake Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of religion Thomas Hobbes ignorancetalkingmen If I had read as much as other men I would have known no more than they. Thomas Hobbes libraryknownmen There be as many persons of a king, as there be petty constables in his kingdom. And so there are, or else he cannot be obeyed. But I never said that a king, and every one of his persons, are the same substance. Thomas Hobbes substanceidentitykings He that is taken and put into prison or chains is not conquered, though overcome; for he is still an enemy. Thomas Hobbes philosophicaljailtaken As soon as a thought darts, I write it down. Thomas Hobbes dartspreparationwriting By how much one man has more experience of things past, than another, by so much also he is more prudent, and his expectations the seldomer fail him. Thomas Hobbes expectationsmenpast The Interpretation of the Laws of Nature in a Common-wealth, dependeth not on the books of Moral Philosophy. The Authority of writers, without the Authority of the Commonwealth, maketh not their opinions Law, be they never so true. Thomas Hobbes lawphilosophybook Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thyself. Thomas Hobbes thyselfdone
