# XXIII: Of the Public Ministers of Sovereign Power explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Hobbes defines public ministers as those authorized by the sovereign to represent the commonwealth in specific affairs, distinguishing them from private servants. He categorizes ministers into those with general administration (protectors, regents, viceroys) and those with special administration (treasury, militia, teachers, judges). He emphasizes that all judicial authority derives from the sovereign, and discusses the proper constitution of courts, using the English system as an example. He also covers ambassadors, spies, and councillors, noting that only those acting with sovereign authority are public ministers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sovereignty and Absolute Power

Hobbes asserts that all public ministers derive their authority from the sovereign, and that judicature is essentially annexed to sovereignty.

### Justice and Law

The chapter examines the proper administration of justice, including the roles of judges, the importance of impartiality, and the finality of sovereign judgment.

### Liberty and Obligation

Subjects are obliged to obey public ministers acting in the sovereign's name, provided their commands are not inconsistent with sovereign power.

## Key lines

> A public minister is he that by the sovereign, whether a monarch or an assembly, is employed in any affairs with authority to represent in that employment the person of the commonwealth.

A public minister is someone authorized by the sovereign to act on behalf of the commonwealth in specific duties.

_Hobbes defines the core concept of the chapter._

> all judicature is essentially annexed to the sovereignty; and therefore all other judges are but ministers of him or them that have the sovereign power.

The power to judge belongs fundamentally to the sovereign; all other judges are merely his agents.

_Hobbes reinforces the sovereign's ultimate authority over judicial decisions._

> The monarch, or the sovereign assembly only hath immediate authority from God, to teach and instruct the people; and no man but the sovereign receiveth his power Dei gratia simply; that is to say, from the favour of none but God.

Only the sovereign has direct divine authority to teach the people; all others derive their authority from the sovereign.

_Hobbes argues that religious instruction is a function of sovereign power._

## Links

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