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
24. As the law of nature is all of it divine, so the law of Christ
by conversion (which is wholly explained in the v. vi. and vii.
chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel), is all of it also (except that
one commandment, of not marrying her who is put away for adultery;
which Christ brought for explication of the divine positive law,
against the Jews, who did not rightly interpret the Mosaical law)
the doctrine of nature. I say, the whole law of Christ is explained
in the fore-named chapters, not the whole doctrine of Christ; for
faith is a part of Christian doctrine, which is not comprehended
under the title of a law. For laws are made and given in reference
to such actions as follow our will; not in order to our opinions and
belief, which being out of our power, follow not the will.
DOMINION.
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CHAPTER V.
OF THE CAUSES AND FIRST BEGINNING OF CIVIL
GOVERNMENT.
1. That the laws of nature are not sufficient to preserve peace. 2.
That the laws of nature, in the state of nature, are silent. 3.
That the security of living according to the laws of nature,
consists in the concord of many persons. 4. That the concord of
many persons is not constant enough for a lasting peace. 5. The
reason why the government of certain brute creatures stands firm
in concord only, and why not of men. 6. That not only consent,
but union also, is required to establish the peace of men. 7.
What union is. 8. In union, the right of all men is conveyed to
one. 9. What civil society is. 10. What a civil person is. 11.
What it is to have the supreme power, and what to be a subject
12. Two kinds of cities, natural, and by institution.
[Sidenote: That the laws of nature suffice not for the conservation
of peace.]
1. It is of itself manifest that the actions of men proceed from the
will, and the will from hope and fear, insomuch as when they shall
see a greater good or less evil likely to happen to them by the
breach than observation of the laws, they will wittingly violate
them. The hope therefore which each man hath of his security and
self-preservation, consists in this, that by force or craft he may
disappoint his neighbour, either openly or by stratagem. Whence we
may understand, that the natural laws, though well understood, do
not instantly secure any man in their practice; and consequently,
that as long as there is no caution had from the invasion of others,
there remains to every man that same primitive right of self-defence
by such means as either he can or will make use of, that is, a right
to all things, or the right of war. And it is sufficient for the
fulfilling of the natural law, that a man be prepared in mind to
embrace peace when it may be had.
[Sidenote: That the laws of nature, in a state of nature, are
silent.]