# Part IV: Of the Kingdom of Darkness explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Hobbes defines the Kingdom of Darkness as a confederacy of deceivers that, through false doctrines and misinterpretations of Scripture, obscure the true law of nature and civil authority, leading men away from the light of reason and the sovereign's rule.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Civil Authority

Hobbes argues that false religious doctrines undermine the sovereign's authority and lead to the kingdom of darkness.

### Human Nature and Passions

The chapter explores how human passions, such as fear and ambition, are exploited by deceivers to maintain darkness.

## Character check-ins

### Satan

Referred to as the prince of darkness and ruler of the kingdom of darkness.

### Jesus Christ

Contrasted with Satan as the light of the world and the true king.

### Moses

Mentioned in the context of interpreting Scripture and the law.

### St. Paul

Cited for his teachings on spiritual darkness and the kingdom of God.

### Aristotle

Criticized for introducing false philosophy that obscures truth.

## Key lines

> The Kingdom of Darkness is a confederacy of deceivers, that to obtain dominion over men in this present world, endeavor by dark and erroneous doctrines to extinguish the light of nature and of the gospel.

Hobbes describes the kingdom of darkness as a conspiracy of liars who use false teachings to control people and suppress both natural reason and Christian truth.

_This sets the central thesis of the chapter._

> The light of nature is the law of nature, and the light of the gospel is the word of God.

Natural reason gives us the law of nature, and the gospel gives us God's word.

_Hobbes distinguishes between two sources of truth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/part-iv-of-the-kingdom-of-darkness
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters