Government Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“Government is necessary, not because man is naturally bad... but because man is by nature more individualistic than social.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Leviathan, 1651
Human nature is inherently individualistic, so government is needed to balance personal freedom with social order.
In simple terms: People are selfish, so societies need rules.
Key Takeaway
Create structures that balance liberty and community.
Themes
individualism
government
social order
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community building
- law enforcement
- public administration
Key Concepts
political philosophy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect liberty while ensuring order?
- What limits should government have?
A Different Perspective
Too much authority can suppress personal freedoms.
![“I think ultimately, people are selfish in that department [blues], in a good way - the reason we're attracted to art is because it somehow reflects us. And I think, ultimately, we're a tribal people by nature. We're not individualistic. We almost like to hear that there's other people in a worse…” quote by Glen Hansard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/538/glen-hansard-13793_art_i-think-ultimately-people-are-selfish-in_186053.jpg)
