If any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies.
Interpretation
Conflicting desires can lead to enmity when two people want the same thing but cannot both have it.
This quote by Thomas Hobbes reflects the fundamental nature of human conflict, suggesting that when two individuals desire the same goal or object that is in limited supply, the inevitable competition for that desire can breed hostility and animosity. It highlights the idea that human relationships are often dictated by the struggle for resources, recognition, or power, and that this competition can turn friends into foes if their interests clash.
In practice
In a discussion about workplace rivalry, you could use this quote to illustrate how competing for the same promotion can create tension among colleagues.
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.
A building has integrity just like a man. And just as seldom.
It's almost as if a demon might have passed from one host to another.
People don't alter history any more than birds alter the sky, they just make brief patterns in it.
The misuse of language induces evil in the soul.
No man has a right in America to treat any other man "tolerantly" for tolerance is the assumption of superiority. Our liberties are equal rights of every citizen.
She had acquired some of his gypsy ways, some of his nonchalance, his bohemian indiscipline. She had swung with him into the disorders of strewn clothes, spilled cigarette ashes, slipping into bed all dressed, falling asleep thus, indolence, timelessness...A region of chaos and moonlight. She liked it there.
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