If I read as many books as most men do, I would be as dull-witted as they are. Thomas Hobbes More Quotes by Thomas Hobbes More Quotes From Thomas Hobbes Religions are like pills, which must be swallowed whole without chewing. Thomas Hobbes pillsatheismatheist The world is governed by opinion. Thomas Hobbes opinionpoliticsworld Leisure is the Mother of Philosophy. Thomas Hobbes philosophicalmotherphilosophy Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another. Thomas Hobbes sciencerealityfacts They that are discontented under monarchy, call it tyranny; and they that are displeased with aristocracy, call it oligarchy: so also, they which find themselves grieved under a democracy, call it anarchy, which signifies the want of government; and yet I think no man believes, that want of government, is any new kind of government. Thomas Hobbes menbelievethinking For there are very few so foolish who would not rather govern themselves than be governed by others. Thomas Hobbes libertyfoolish The object of man's desire is not to enjoy once only, and for one instant of time; but to assure for ever, the way of his future desires. Thomas Hobbes desiremenway Prudence is a presumption of the future, contracted from the experience of time past. Thomas Hobbes times-pastprudencepast The passions of men are commonly more potent than their reason. Thomas Hobbes passionreasonmen Laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from some sudden conception of some eminency in ourselves, by comparison with the infirmity of others, or with our own formerly. Thomas Hobbes laughterjoyhappiness and where men build on false grounds, the more they build, the greater is the ruine Thomas Hobbes greatermen It is fairer to tax people on what they extract from the economy, as roughly measured by their consumption, than to tax them on what they produce for the economy, as roughly measured by their income. Thomas Hobbes incomeeconomypeople Life is nasty, brutish, and short Thomas Hobbes nastylife-is The privilege of absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only. Thomas Hobbes philosophicalmenlife During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that conditions called war; and such a war, as if of every man, against every man. Thomas Hobbes fearmenwar 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. Thomas Hobbes wisdomwisewitty Silence is sometimes an argument of Consent. Thomas Hobbes argumentatheismsilence Fear of power invisible, feigned by the mind or imagined from tales publicly allowed, is religion; not allowed, superstition. Thomas Hobbes superstitionsatheismmind Subjects have no greater liberty in a popular than in a monarchial state. That which deceives them is the equal participation of command. Thomas Hobbes deceivinglibertystates Curiosity draws a man from consideration of the effect, to seek the cause. Thomas Hobbes atheismcuriositymen
