Thomas Hobbes Liberty Quotations

I know not how the world will receive it, nor how it may reflect on those that shall seem to favor it. For in a way beset with those that contend, on one side for too great Liberty , and on the other side for too much Authority , 'tis hard to passe between the points of both unwounded.

A free man is he that, in those things which by his strength and wit he is able to do, is not hindered to do what he has a will to.

That a man be willing, when others are so too, as far forth as for peace and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things; and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself.

Life in the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

What reason is there that he which laboreth much, and, sparing the fruits of his labor, consumeth little, should be more charged than he that, living idly, getteth little and spendeth all he gets, seeing the one hath no more protection from the commonwealth than the other?

Subjects have no greater liberty in a popular than in a monarchial state. That which deceives them is the equal participation of command.

There are very few so foolish that they had not rather govern themselves than be governed by others.