Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679)
English philosopher, whose famous 1651 book Leviathan established the agenda for nearly all subsequent Western political philosophy.
For the Lawes of Nature (as Justice, Equity, Modesty, Mercy, and (in summe) Doing To Others, As Wee Would Be Done To,) if themselves, without the terrour of some Power, to cause them to be observed, are contrary to our naturall Passions, that carry us to Partiality, Pride, Revenge, and the like. And Covenants, without the Sword, are but Words, and of no strength to secure a man at all.
For a mans Conscience, and his Judgement is the same thing; and as the Judgement, so also the Conscience may be erroneous.
Intemperance is naturally punished with diseases; rashness, with mischance; injustice; with violence of enemies; pride, with ruin; cowardice, with oppression; and rebellion, with slaughter.
The "value" or "worth" of a man is, as of all other things, his price; that is to say, so much as would be given for the use of his power.
Such truth as opposeth no man's profit nor pleasure is to all men welcome.