". . . preservation of life being the end for which one man becomes subject to another, every man is supposed to promise obedience to him in whose power it is to save or destroy him."
Chapter 20, Leviathan.
Hobbes late in this chapter considers the objection that the extent of power he assigns the sovereign creates horrific danger for those ruled, and replies the evils of civil war and violent civil discord that arise where such power is lacking are worse.
Based on the horrors of tyranny we have seen in the 20th Century, those evils are not worse, and even nowhere near as bad as the evils of tyranny.
Nor is such horrific power necessary to prevent them.
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