Quote by Thomas Hobbes: “The right of nature is the liberty each man hath to use his own power for preservation.”

This defines the fundamental freedom individuals possess in the state of nature: to do whatever they deem necessary to survive. It highlights Hobbes's view that self-preservation is the ultimate drive, leading to conflict unless restricted by a social contract and sovereign power, as seen in his 'war of all against all' concept.

Hobbes was conceptualizing the pre-social condition of humanity, arguing that this unrestrained 'right' inevitably leads to a 'war of all against all.' His work was a response to philosophical debates about natural rights and the legitimacy of government, especially after the English Civil War.

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.