In interpreting Thomas Hobbes, I argue that the state of nature is a state of war, and that that state of war can be averted from leading into full-fledged war, if a sovereign ruler of a functional government is created For Hobbes (1588-1679), government is a contrivance, a necessity, precisely because “men are not angel.” Good laws must control their evil ways, that they may be compelled to follow, for their own sake.