The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 01 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
Fifthly, every part of a strait line is a strait line. For seeing every
part of a strait line is the least that can be drawn between its own
extreme points, if all the parts should not constitute a strait line,
they would altogether be longer than the whole line.
[Sidenote: The definition and properties of a plane superficies.]
2. A _plane_ or _a plane superficies, is that which is described by a
strait line so moved, that all the several points thereof describe
several strait lines_. A strait line, therefore, is necessarily all of
it in the same plane which it describes. Also the strait lines, which
are made by the points that describe a plane, are all of them in the
same plane. Moreover, if any line whatsoever be moved in a plane, the
lines, which are described by it, are all of them in the same plane.
All other superficies, which are not plane, are crooked, that is, are
either concave or convex. And the same comparisons, which were made of
strait and crooked lines, may also be made of plane and crooked
superficies.
For, first, if a plane and crooked superficies be terminated with the
same lines, the crooked superficies is greater than the plane
superficies. For if the lines, of which the crooked superficies
consists, be extended, they will be found to be longer than those of
which the plane superficies consists, which cannot be extended, because
they are strait.
Secondly, two superficies, whereof the one is plane, and the other
continually crooked, cannot be coincident, no, not in the least part.
For if they were coincident, they would be equal; nay, the same
superficies would be both plane and crooked, which is impossible.
Thirdly, within the same terminating lines there can be no more than one
plane superficies; because there can be but one least superficies within
the same.
Fourthly, no number of plane superficies can include a solid, unless
more than two of them end in a common vertex. For if two planes have
both the same terminating lines, they are coincident, that is, they are
but one superficies; and if their terminating lines be not the same,
they leave one or more sides open.
Fifthly, every part of a plane superficies is a plane superficies. For
seeing the whole plane superficies is the least of all those, that have
the same terminating lines; and also every part of the same superficies
is the least of all those, that are terminated with the same lines; if
every part should not constitute a plane superficies, all the parts put
together would not be equal to the whole.
[Sidenote: Several sorts of crooked lines.]