Full Idea
He which performeth first in a contract, does but betray himself to his enemy.
Gist of Idea
The first performer in a contract is handing himself over to an enemy
Source
Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan [1651], 1.14)
Book Reference
Hobbes,Thomas: 'Leviathan', ed/tr. Macpherson,C.B. [Penguin 1981], p.196