The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 02 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
1. That the law of nature is not an agreement of men, but the
dictate of reason. 2. That the fundamental law of nature, is to
seek peace, where it may be had, and where not, to defend
ourselves. 3. That the first special law of nature, is not to
retain our right to all things. 4. What it is to quit our right:
what to transfer it. 5. That in the transferring of our right,
the will of him that receives it is necessarily required. 6. No
words but those of the present tense, transfer any right. 7.
Words of the future, if there be some other tokens to signify
the will, are valid in the translation of right. 8. In matters
of free gift, our right passeth not from us through any words of
the future. 9. The definition of contract and compact. 10. In
compacts, our right passeth from us through words of the future.
11. Compacts of mutual faith, in the state of nature are of no
effect and vain; but not so in civil government. 12. That no man
can make compacts with beasts, nor yet with God without
revelation. 13. Nor yet make a vow to God. 14. That compacts
oblige not beyond our utmost endeavour. 15. By what means we are
freed from our compacts. 16. That promises extorted through fear
of death, in the state of nature are valid. 17. A later compact
contradicting the former, is invalid. 18. A compact not to
resist him that shall prejudice my body, is invalid. 19. A
compact to accuse one’s self, is invalid. 20. The definition of
swearing. 21. That swearing is to be conceived in that form
which he useth that takes the oath. 22. An oath superadds
nothing to the obligation which is made by compact. 23. An oath
ought not to be pressed, but where the breach of compacts may be
kept private, or cannot be punished but from God himself.
[Sidenote: That the law of nature is not an agreement of men, but
the dictate of reason.]