# Dedication explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Thomas Hobbes dedicates his work 'Leviathan' to Mr. Francis Godolphin, honoring his deceased brother Sidney Godolphin and explaining his intent to navigate between excessive liberty and excessive authority in advancing civil power.

## Themes in this chapter

### Liberty and Obligation

Hobbes acknowledges the contention between 'too great liberty' and 'too much authority' as a central challenge in his work.

### Sovereignty and Absolute Power

The dedication emphasizes advancing civil power and defending the 'seat of power' against those who impugn it.

## Character check-ins

### King James

Referenced indirectly through the context of the English monarchy and civil power.

## Key lines

> For in a way beset with those that contend, on one side for too great liberty, and on the other side for too much authority, ’tis hard to pass between the points of both unwounded.

Navigating the conflict between advocates of excessive freedom and proponents of excessive control is difficult without facing criticism from both sides.

_Hobbes frames his work as a careful balance between competing political extremes._

> I speak not of the men, but, in the abstract, of the seat of power (like to those simple and unpartial creatures in the Roman Capitol, that with their noise defended those within it, not because they were they, but there)

I discuss the concept of authority itself, not specific individuals, similar to the geese on the Roman Capitol that protected the people inside simply because they were there, not because of who they were.

_Hobbes emphasizes his focus on the abstract nature of power rather than personal attacks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters