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The RIGHT OF NATURE, which Writers commonly call Jus Naturale, is the Liberty each man hath, to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own Nature; that is to say, of his own Life; and consequently, of doing any thing, which in his own Judgement, and Reason, he shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto.

— Thomas Hobbes Leviathan (1651)

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More quotes by Thomas Hobbes

For such Truth as opposeth no man's profit nor pleasure is to all men welcome.

Leviathan (1651)

No man's error becomes his own Law; nor obliges him to persist in it.

Leviathan (1651)

And the life of man solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short.

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Men looke not at the greatnesse of the evill past, but the greatnesse of the good to follow.

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For Prudence, is but Experience; which equal time, equally bestows on all men, in those things they equally apply themselves unto.

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