Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
References Hobbes' view that conflict is natural to human existence.
In plain terms
Nature forces creatures into constant struggle.
What can you take from it?
Conflict may be inherent in nature.

Where it applies

  • discussing human nature
  • analyzing conflict
  • studying philosophy

Putting it to work

  • study human nature
  • analyze conflict
  • compare philosophies

Questions to consider

  • Is peace natural or forced?
  • What is human nature?

Another view

Not all philosophers agree that war is the natural state.

More from Jonathan Swift

  1. Yet malice never was his aim; He lashed the vice but spared the name. No individual could resent, Where thousands equally were meant. His satire points at no d…

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. So, naturalists observe, a flea Hath smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bit 'em; And so proceed ad infinitum. Thus every poet, in …

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and season…

    Permalink to quote #27

Related quotes

  1. Here from this mountain shore, headland beyond stormy headland plunging like dolphins through the blue sea-smoke Into pale sea - look west at the hill of water…

    Robinson JeffersRobinson Jeffers quote #36
  2. And the war rages on in a land called somewhere And Generals order their men to kill And to fight for a cause theyve long ago forgotten While a little cloud we…

    Paul SimonPaul Simon quote #1
  3. To a gentleman, who, at the close of a fierce dispute with Porson, exclaimed, 'My opinion of you is most contemptible, Sir'; he retorted, 'I never knew an opin…

    Richard PorsonRichard Porson quote #1