Leviathan

Leviathan

by

Thomas Hobbes

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Leviathan makes teaching easy.
A covenant is a contract that is entered into willingly by at least two parties. Every covenant is made in the eyes of God, and, according to the Laws of Nature, every covenant must be honored. A covenant only expires once its terms are fulfilled or the obligation is rescinded by the party who implemented it. A common-wealth, for example, is based on a covenant in which any number of people forfeit their right to self-preservation and place that right in a single sovereign power.

Covenant Quotes in Leviathan

The Leviathan quotes below are all either spoken by Covenant or refer to Covenant. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
).
The Introduction Quotes

To describe the Nature of the Artificiall man, I will consider

First, the Matter thereof, and the Artificer; both
which is Man.
Secondly, How, and by what Covenants it is
made; what are the Rights and just Power or
Authority of a Soveraigne; and what it is that
preserveth and dissolveth it.
Thirdly, what is a Christian Common-wealth.
Lastly, what is the Kingdome of Darkness.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), God
Related Symbols: Leviathan
Page Number: 82
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

But where God himselfe, by supernaturall Revelation, planted Religion; there he also made to himself a peculiar Kindgome; and gave Lawes, not only of behavior towards himself; but also towards one another; and thereby in the Kingdome of God, the Policy, and lawes Civill, are a part of Religion; and therefore the distinction of Temporall, and Spirituall Domination, hath there no place. It is true, that God is King of all the Earth; Yet may he be King of a peculiar, and chosen Nation.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), God
Page Number: 178
Explanation and Analysis:

For who is there that does not see, to whose benefit it conduceth, to have it believed, that a King hath not his Authority from Christ, unlesse a Bishop crown him? That a King, if he be a Priest, cannot Marry? That whether a Prince be born in lawfull Marriage, or not, must be judged by Authority from Rome? That Subjects may be freed from their Alleageance, if by the Court of Rome, the King be judged a Heretique? That a King (as Chilperique of France) may be deposed by a Pope (as Pope Zachary,) for no cause; and his Kingdome given to one of his Subjects?

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), Christ
Page Number: 182
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

Hereby it is manifest, that during the time men live without a common Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called Warre; and such a warre, as is of every man, against every man. For Warre, consisteth not in Battel lonely, or the act of fighting; but in a tract of time, wherein the Will to contend by Battell is sufficiently known: […] All other time is peace.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 185-186
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

The Right of Nature, which Writers commonly call Jus Naturale, is the Liberty each man hath, to use his own power, as he will himselfe, for the preservation of his own Nature; that is to say, of his own Life; and consequently, of doing any thing, which in his own Judgement, and Reason, hee shall conceive to be the aptest means thereunto.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 189
Explanation and Analysis:

Men are freed of their Covenants two ways; by Performing; or by being Forgiven. For Performance, is the naturall end of obligation; and Forgivenesse, the restitution of liberty; as being a retransferring of that Right, in which the obligation consisted.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 198
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

And in this law of Nature, consisteth the Fountain and Originall of JUSTICE. For where no Covenant hath proceeded, there hath no Right been transferred, and every man has right to every thing; and consequently, no action can be Unjust. But when a Covenant is made, then to break it is Unjust: and the definition of INJUSTICE, is no other than the not Performance of Covenant. And whatsoever is not Unjust, is Just.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 202
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 18 Quotes

Fifthly, and consequently to that which was sayd last, no man that hath Soveraigne power can justly be put to death, or otherwise in any manner by his Subjects punished. For seeing every Subject is Author of the actions of his Soveraigne; he punisheth another, for the actions committed by himselfe.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 232
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 29 Quotes

Of which, this is one, That a man to obtain a Kingdome, is sometimes content with lesse Power, that to the Peace, and defence of the Common-wealth is necessarily required.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker)
Page Number: 364
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 35 Quotes

To the contrary, I find the Kingdome of God, to signifie in most places of Scripture, a Kingdome properly so named, constituted by the Votes of the People of Israel in peculiar manner; wherein they chose God for their King by Covenant made with him, upon Gods promising them the possession of the land of Canaan; and but seldom metaphorically; and then it is taken for Dominion over sinne; (and only in the New Testament;) because such a Dominion as that, every Subject shall have in the Kingdome of God, and without prejudice to the Soveraign.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), God
Page Number: 442
Explanation and Analysis:
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Covenant Term Timeline in Leviathan

The timeline below shows where the term Covenant appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 14: Of the first and second NATURALL LAWES, and of CONTRACTS
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...one to another, it is called a contract. In a contract is a pact, or covenant, that must be respected by both parties. When the transfer is not mutual, such as... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
Covenants are made either verbally (“I Give, I Grant”) or through inference, which can include the... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
A person is released from a covenant in one of two ways: either they perform the terms of the contract to its... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
Words alone are too weak to bind people in a covenant, but this weakness is strengthened by fear of the consequences of breaking a contract. Fear... (full context)
Chapter 15: Of other Lawes of Nature
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
The third Law of Nature is that everyone must perform whatever covenants they enter into. Where there is no covenant and no one has transferred any rights,... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
It is impossible to deny that covenants are made and broken all the time, and such violations are an injustice; however, “Succesfull... (full context)
Chapter 17: Of the Causes, Generation, and Definition of a COMMON-WEALTH
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...cannot be followed without the creation of some central power to compel people to honor covenants, people have joined together to live in common-wealths. (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...components of such competition. Furthermore, the agreement between bees and ants is natural, but a covenant entered into by humans is artificial, and to make that contract last, a central power... (full context)
Chapter 18: Of the RIGHTS of Soveraignes by Institution
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
A common-wealth is created when an assembly of people agree to a covenant in which a person (or persons) is to be their representative, and that representative, or... (full context)
Chapter 20: Of Dominion PATERNALL, and DESPOTICALL
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...so is their child, and that child’s children, and so on. If there is no covenant, the power of dominion is with the mother, as the father of a child can... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...Dominion of the victor over the vanquished is obtained when the vanquished enter into a covenant, either through words or actions, and submit to the sovereign power of the victor. This... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...is not victory in war that gives the victor power over the vanquished—it is the covenant that transfers this power. Therefore, dominion, whether it be “Paternall” or “Desposticall,” is precisely the... (full context)
Chapter 21: Of the Liberty of Subjects
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...if one is imprisoned and not given the choice, they are not bound by any covenant and can escape by any means necessary.  (full context)
Chapter 22: Of Systemes Subject, Politicall, and Private
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...the representative of a political body is a single person and borrows money through a covenant, that person alone is responsible for repayment. Conversely, when the representative is an assembly, and... (full context)
Chapter 24: Of the NUTRITION, and PROCREATION of a Common-wealth
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...sustain the common-wealth. Thus, subjects may redistribute whatever they can spare through exchange or mutual covenant. (full context)
Chapter 28: Of PUNISHMENTS, and REWARDS
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
...the law and gone before a judge. The right to punish subjects comes from the covenant of the common-wealth, which imbues the sovereign with the power to punish those who do... (full context)
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Fear  Theme Icon
...the laws of a common-wealth. A reward can be either a gift or some additional covenant, such as salary or wages for some service performed. Any benefit that is given by... (full context)
Chapter 29: Of those things that Weaken, or tend to the DISSOLUTION of a Common-wealth
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
...common-wealth. To divide a power is to destroy the unity of the common-wealth and the covenant that binds them together as one. The imitation of other common-wealths, such as those belonging... (full context)
Chapter 35: Of the Signification in Scripture of KINGDOME OF GOD, of HOLY, SACRED, and SACRAMENT
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...and created by the votes of the Israelites, in which they enter into a direct covenant with God, wherein he promises them eternal salvation. However, Hobbes points out, this covenant is... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...Knowledge, and in the Book of Genesis, God speaks to Abraham: “I will establish my Covenant between me, and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting... (full context)
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Religion Theme Icon
This covenant is again seen in the Book of Exodus with Moses at the Foot of Mount... (full context)
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Religion Theme Icon
For Hobbes, God’s Kingdome is a “Civill Kingdome” that is based on a covenant between God and the people. The king of any given nation is the public king,... (full context)
Chapter 39: Of the signification in Scripture of the word CHURCH
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...does not exist on Earth any “universall Church” to which every Christian is bound by covenant, as there is no common power that all common-wealths are subject to. Every citizen of... (full context)
Chapter 40: Of the RIGHTS of the Kingdome of God, in Abraham, Moses, the High Priests, and the Kings of Judah
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
Abraham was the first to make a covenant with God, and in this contract, Abraham agreed to obey God in all things. Hobbes... (full context)
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Religion Theme Icon
This same covenant with God was later renewed, first with Isaac and later with Jacob; however, the covenant... (full context)
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...things religious and civil. This sovereign power was divine, but it was also made by covenant. When the people of Israel say to Samuel, “make us a King to judge us,”... (full context)
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...did not belong to a common-wealth. After the Jews were freed, they entered into a covenant with God; however, that contract made no promise of obedience to any king. So, as... (full context)
Chapter 41: Of the OFFICE of our BLESSED SAVIOUR
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...as a counselor unto the people and convince them to follow God and renew the covenant. Up to this point, there was nothing unlawful in Christ’s plea to the people of... (full context)
Chapter 42: Of POWER ECCLESIASTICALL
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...will be loyal to God and those appointed by him. Baptism is a type of covenant, but true authority is with an “Earthly Soveraign [sovereign]” until Judgement Day. (full context)
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...these laws. When Moses delivered God’s Word, these words became laws by way of Moses’s covenant with the people.  (full context)
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...are known as “Second Laws.” In Deuteronomy 29:1, it is written: “The words of a Covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the Children of Israel, besides the Covenant... (full context)
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Religion Theme Icon
...laws instituted until after the captivity of the Jews, after which they entered into a covenant with Moses to accept the “Law of God.” The Old Testament was not law until... (full context)
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Religion Theme Icon
...the dominion of another sovereign power. A sovereign’s right to power is derived from the covenant of the people. If a Pope claims supreme power over the Christians in any given... (full context)
Chapter 44: Of Spirituall Darkness from MISINTERPRETATION of Scripture
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...has already demonstrated is false. The Kingdome of God began with the Jews and God’s covenant with his “Peculiar People.” There has not been another common-wealth on Earth with God as... (full context)
Chapter 46: Of DARKNESS from VAIN PHILOSOPHY, and FABULOUS TRADITIONS
Religion Theme Icon
Reason, Fact, and Philosophy  Theme Icon
...is agreement on what is good and bad (lawful and unlawful) based on their shared covenant. (full context)
A REVIEW, and CONCLUSION
Nature, War, and Civil Society   Theme Icon
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Hobbes has demonstrated that the Jews and God entered into a covenant in which God was made their sovereign power by contract. The Jews were God’s “Peculiar... (full context)