“Covenants without the sword are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all”
— Thomas Hobbes
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Simplified Meaning:
Agreements or promises mean nothing if they don’t have something to back them up and make sure people stick to them. For example, imagine making a promise with your friend that you both will share your toys. If there is no adult to make sure both of you follow through, one of you might not keep your promise. The same idea applies to larger agreements, like treaties between countries. If there is no enforcement, countries might not follow the rules they agreed to. This means that for any agreement to be strong and dependable, there needs to be a way to ensure everyone does what they said they would. It’s a reminder that trust can be supported by having consequences for breaking promises.
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