For the Lawes of Nature (as Justice, Equity, Modesty, Mercy, and (in summe) Doing To Others, As Wee Would Be Done To,) if themselves, without the terrour of some Power, to cause them to be observed, are contrary to our naturall Passions, that carry us to Partiality, Pride, Revenge, and the like. And Covenants, without the Sword, are but Words, and of no strength to secure a man at all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Natural laws like justice fail without power to enforce them; agreements need force to be kept.
- In plain terms
- Without a power to punish bad behavior, people ignore rules and promises mean nothing.
- What can you take from it?
- Enforcement is necessary for laws and agreements to have real strength.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can trust exist without enforcement?
- Why do people break promises?
Another view
Some people follow moral laws even without threat of punishment.
More from Thomas Hobbes
Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thyself.
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