The power of a man is his present means to obtain some future apparent good.

He that is to govern a whole Nation , must read in himself, not this, or that particular man; but Mankind; which though it be hard to do, harder than to learn any Language, or Science; yet, when I shall have set down my own reading orderly, and perspicuously, the pains left another, will be only to consider, if he also find not the same in himself. For this kind of Doctrine, admitteth no other Demonstration.

Every man may think his own cause just till it be heard and judged.

The Pacts and Covenants, by which the parts of this Body Politique were at first made, set together, and united, resemble that Fiat, or the Let us make man, pronounced by God in the Creation.

By how much one man has more experience of things past, than another, by so much also he is more prudent, and his expectations the seldomer fail him.

Man is distinguished not only by his reason, but also by this singular passion, from all other animals.

Government is necessary, not because man is naturally bad... but because man is by nature more individualistic than social.

To this war of every man against every man, this also in consequent; that nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice have there no place. Where there is no common power, there is no law, where no law, no injustice. Force, and fraud, are in war the cardinal virtues.

Corporations are may lesser commonwealths in the bowels of a greater, like worms in the entrails of a natural man.