Quote by Thomas Hobbes: “Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.”

This provocative statement reveals Hobbes's cynical view of human behavior in a state of conflict. He suggests that in war, traditional morality is suspended, and success depends on deception and brute strength rather than conventional virtues like honesty or justice, reflecting a harsh realism about human nature.

Having witnessed the brutal realities of the English Civil War, Hobbes concluded that in the absence of a strong government, human interactions devolve into a struggle for survival where any means are justified. This reflects his pessimistic view of the state of nature, where there is no common power to enforce rules.

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.