Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes

Have you tried reading this book? You should. The famous quote is this:  "The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

I was introduced to read this book by a friend some twenty years ago. He told me it's a book , a must-read one, if you are interested to learn about human nature.

The  natural state humankind:

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.

Source: "Chapter XIII.: Of the Natural Condition of Mankind As Concerning Their Felicity, and Misery.". Leviathan.


The book'name is taken from the biblical Leviathan. The book concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory.

Much of the book is occupied with demonstrating the necessity of "a strong central authority" to avoid the evil of discord and civil war. This reminds me of the situation in many countries I know where the military has assumed its role as the governing body of the state.


Full title:  LEVIATHAN, or the matter, frme and power of a commonwealth ecclesiastical and civil. By Thomas Hobbes, of Malmesbury. Anno Christi 1651.
Published:   1651

Formats:  Book
Creator:  Thomas Hobbes