In the state of nature profit is the measure of right.
Interpretation
Hobbes suggests that in a natural state, what benefits individuals defines morality.
Thomas Hobbes posits that in the absence of societal structures, individuals act based on self-interest, and the concept of right and wrong is dictated by personal gain. This implies that morality is not inherent, but rather, derived from the pursuit of profit and personal advantage in a natural state, which can lead to a chaotic existence where might equals right.
In practice
During a debate on ethics, this quote can illustrate the foundations of moral philosophy.
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.
Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.
For it is not the shape, but their use, that makes them angels.
For to accuse requires less eloquence, such is man's nature, than to excuse; and condemnation, than absolution, more resembles justice.
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.
The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
How can one, who eats the flesh of others to swell his flesh, show compassion?
Through prayer we can carry in our heart all human pain and sorrow, all conflicts and agonies, all torture and war, all hunger, loneliness and misery, not because of some great psychological or emotional capacity, but because God's heart has become one with ours.
Since science's competence extends to observable and measurable phenomena, not to the inner being of things, and to the means, not to the ends of human life, it would be nonsense to expect that the progress of science will provide men with a new type of metaphysics, ethics, or religion.
Woes and wonders of power, that tonic hell, synthesis of poison and panacea.
How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.
What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.
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