Who described life without government as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”?

The statement “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” is a portrayal by Thomas Hobbes, who is known for his views on the nature of humanity and the necessity of government. In his work "Leviathan," Hobbes argues that in the state of nature, without a governing authority, individuals would lead lives of chaos and conflict. He believed that humans are naturally self-interested and that this tendency would lead to a state of perpetual war if left unchecked by a strong governmental structure.

Hobbes' depiction emphasizes the harshness and challenges of living without a governing body to enforce order and provide security. His ideas contrast significantly with those of other philosophers, such as John Locke, who had a more optimistic view of human nature and the potential for a peaceful state of nature, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who discussed the concept of the noble savage and highlighted the corrupting influence of society. Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, focused on the principles of government and federalism, but did not emphasize the bleak aspects of life without government in the way Hobbes did.

In summary, the phrase accurately reflects Hobbes' argument on the necessity of a strong central authority to prevent chaos and protect individuals,