Quote by Thomas Hobbes: “The passion that inclineth men least to break the laws, is fear.”

Hobbes argues that fear, specifically the fear of punishment, is the primary reason people obey laws. He believed that human nature is self-interested, and without the deterrent of consequences, individuals would act solely for their own gain, leading to societal breakdown and disorder.

Amidst the chaos of the English Civil War, Hobbes observed human behavior under extreme pressure. He concluded that strong governance, backed by the credible threat of force, was essential to maintain order and prevent a return to violent anarchy, where life would be 'nasty, brutish, and short'.

English philosopher, considered to be one of the founders of modern political philosophy. Hobbes is best known for his 1651 book Leviathan, in which he expounds an influential formulation of social contract theory.