The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)Hobbes, Thomas
Philosophy
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)
Hobbes, Thomas
Philosophy, English -- 17th century
1. What _democracy_, _aristocracy_, and _monarchy_ are, hath already
been spoken; but which of them tends most to the preservation of the
subjects’ peace and procuring their advantages, we must see by
comparing them together. But first let us set forth the advantages
and disadvantages of a city in general; lest some perhaps should
think it better, that every man be left to live at his own will,
than to constitute any society at all. Every man indeed out of the
state of civil government hath a most entire, but unfruitful
liberty; because that he who by reason of his own liberty acts all
at his own will, must also by reason of the same liberty in others
suffer all at another’s will. But in a constituted city, every
subject retains to himself as much freedom as suffices him to live
well and quietly; and there is so much taken away from others, as
may make them not to be feared. Out of this state, every man hath
such a right to all, as yet he can enjoy nothing; in it, each one
securely enjoys his limited right. Out of it, any man may rightly
spoil or kill another; in it, none but one. Out of it, we are
protected by our own forces; in it, by the power of all. Out of it,
no man is sure of the fruit of his labours; in it, all men are.
Lastly, out of it, there is a dominion of passions, war, fear,
poverty, slovenliness, solitude, barbarism, ignorance, cruelty; in
it, the dominion of reason, peace, security, riches, decency,
society, elegancy, sciences, and benevolence.
[Sidenote: The gains and losses of the ruler and his subjects are
alike.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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