Thomas Hobbes — "Riches, knowledge, and honour are but several sorts of power."

"For it is not the bare words, but the scope of the speaker, that gives the words their true signification."

"And from this diffidence of one another, there is no way for any man to secure himself, so reasonable, as anticipation; that is, by force, or wiles, to master the persons of all men he can, so long, t…"

"For it is not the bare words, but the scope of the speaker, that giveth the true interpretation of a law."

"In the first place, I put for a general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceaseth only in death."

"For the nature of man is such, that if they be not restrained by fear of punishment, they will choose to do that which is most for their own advantage."