The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 03 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
But they say again, that though the principles be right, yet common
people are not of capacity enough to be made to understand them. I
should be glad, that the rich and potent subjects of a kingdom, or those
that are accounted the most learned, were no less incapable than they.
But all men know, that the obstructions to this kind of doctrine,
proceed not so much from the difficulty of the matter, as from the
interest of them that are to learn. Potent men, digest hardly any thing
that setteth up a power to bridle their affections; and learned men, any
thing that discovereth their errors, and thereby lesseneth their
authority: whereas the common people’s minds, unless they be tainted
with dependance on the potent, or scribbled over with the opinions of
their doctors, are like clean paper, fit to receive whatsoever by public
authority shall be imprinted in them. Shall whole nations be brought to
_acquiesce_ in the great mysteries of the Christian religion, which are
above reason, and millions of men be made believe, that the same body
may be in innumerable places at one and the same time, which is against
reason; and shall not men be able, by their teaching, and preaching,
protected by the law, to make that received, which is so consonant to
reason, that any unprejudicated man, needs no more to learn it, than to
hear it? I conclude therefore, that in the instruction of the people in
the essential rights which are the natural and fundamental laws of
sovereignty, there is no difficulty, whilst a sovereign has his power
entire, but what proceeds from his own fault, or the fault of those whom
he trusteth in the administration of the commonwealth; and consequently,
it is his duty, to cause them so to be instructed; and not only his
duty, but his benefit also, and security against the danger that may
arrive to himself in his natural person from rebellion.
[Sidenote: Subjects are to be taught not to affect change of
government.]