The praise of ancient authors proceeds not from the reverence of the dead, but from the competition and mutual envy of the living.

Quote by Thomas Hobbes

Topics: Thomas Hobbes Quotes

Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.

Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.

The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, profane, clean, obscene, grave,...

The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, profane, clean, obscene, grave,...

There is no such thing as perpetual tranquillity of mind while we live here; because...

There is no such thing as perpetual tranquillity of mind while we live here; because...

Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: But they are the...

Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them: But they are the...

During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe,...

During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe,...

Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another.

Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another.

The Papacy is not other than the Ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned...

The Papacy is not other than the Ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned...

The privilege of absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only.

The privilege of absurdity; to which no living creature is subject, but man only.

Curiosity is the lust of the mind.

Curiosity is the lust of the mind.

Prudence is but experience, which equal time, equally bestows on all men, in those things...

Prudence is but experience, which equal time, equally bestows on all men, in those things...

The science which teacheth arts and handicrafts is merely science for the gaining of a...

The science which teacheth arts and handicrafts is merely science for the gaining of a...

As a draft-animal is yoked in a wagon, even so the spirit is yoked in...

As a draft-animal is yoked in a wagon, even so the spirit is yoked in...

I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.

Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravitation.

Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravitation.

Such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be...

Such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be...

Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another.

Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another.

A man cannot lay down the right of resisting them that assault him by force,...

A man cannot lay down the right of resisting them that assault him by force,...

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law.

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law.

I put for the general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire of...

I put for the general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire of...

War consisteth not in battle only, or the act of fighting; but in a tract...

War consisteth not in battle only, or the act of fighting; but in a tract...