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Ambition, and Covetousnesse are Passions that are perpetually incumbent, and pressing.
Thomas Hobbes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Ambition and greed are constant driving forces in human nature.

In this quote, Thomas Hobbes emphasizes that ambition and covetousness are inherent passions within people that continuously exert pressure on their behavior and choices. These emotions drive individuals to pursue power, wealth, and success, often influencing their relationships and societal dynamics.

Themes

AmbitionGreedPassionHuman NatureSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about achieving one's goals.

More from Thomas Hobbes

Baptism is the sacrament of allegiance of them that are to be received into the Kingdom of God, that is to say, into Eternal life, that is to say, to Remission of Sin. For as Eternal life was lost by the committing, so it is recovered by the remitting of men's sins.
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Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
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For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.
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For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.
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Scientia potentia est, sed parva; quia scientia egregia rara est, nec proinde apparens nisi paucissimis, et in paucis rebus. Scientiae enim ea natura est, ut esse intelligi non possit, nisi ab illis qui sunt scientia praediti.
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The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
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