Samuel Pufendorf Quotes
Samuel Pufendorf was a German jurist, political philosopher, and historian, the principal continental developer of the natural-law tradition that ran from Grotius to Locke. The first occupant of a chair of natural and international law, at Heidelberg, he later served as historiographer royal in Sweden and Brandenburg. The quotes below are attributed to Samuel Pufendorf, organized by topic.
Samuel Pufendorf on Justice
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Attributed to Samuel Pufendorf:
“Natural law is the rule by which we know what is right and what is wrong.”
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Attributed to Samuel Pufendorf:
“All men are equal in their original dignity.”
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Attributed to Samuel Pufendorf:
“The first duty of natural law is to do no harm to another.”
Samuel Pufendorf on Nature
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Attributed to Samuel Pufendorf:
“Man is a sociable animal, and his nature compels him to seek the society of his kind.”
Samuel Pufendorf on Politics
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Attributed to Samuel Pufendorf:
“The state arises from the consent of the governed.”