Thomas Hobbes

For the nature of man is such, that he is always desirous of new things, and of change; and therefore, if there be no common power to keep him in awe, he will be continually in a state of war.

For every man that is not a fool, hath a desire to preserve himself; and to that end, to avoid death.

The science of every man's duty, which is called ethics, is nothing else but the knowledge of what is good and evil in the actions of men.

And from this, that every man desires his own good, it followeth, that every man desires to preserve himself.

For words are but the marks of concepts, and concepts are but the images of things.

The value of a man is not in himself, but in the estimation of others.

For the source of all superstition is the fear of things invisible.

The first and fundamental law of nature is, to seek peace, and follow it.

And therefore, what is good for one, is not good for all.

Curiosity is the lust of the mind.

Sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter.

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

Words are wise men's counters, they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools.

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

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

Fear of things invisible is the natural seed of that which every one in himself calleth religion.

The universe is corporeal; all that is real is material, and what is not material is not real.

During the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called War; and such a war, as is of every man, against every man.

In such condition there is no place for industry, because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of moving and removing such things as require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; 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.

Covenants, without the sword, are but words, and of no strength to secure a man at all.