The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 04 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 04 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
1, 2. Men by nature equal. 3. By vain glory indisposed to allow
equality with themselves, to others. 4. Apt to provoke another
by comparisons. 5. Apt to encroach one upon another. 6. Right
defined. 7. Right to the end, implieth right to the means. 8.
Every man his own judge by nature. 9. Every man’s strength and
knowledge for his own use. 10. Every man by nature hath right to
all things. 11. War and peace defined. 12. Men by nature in the
state of war. 13. In manifest inequality might is right. 14.
Reason dictateth peace.
[Sidenote: Men by nature equal.]
1. In a former treatise of human nature already printed, hath been
set forth the whole nature of man, consisting in the powers natural
of his body and mind, and may all be comprehended in these four,
_strength of body_, _experience_, _reason_, and _passion_.
2. In this, it will be expedient to consider in what estate of
security this our nature hath placed us, and what probability it
hath left us, of continuing and preserving ourselves against the
violence of one another. And first, if we consider how little odds
there is of strength or knowledge, between men of mature age, and
with how great facility he that is the weaker in strength or in wit,
or in both, may utterly destroy the power of the stronger; since
there needeth but little force to the taking away of a man’s life,
we may conclude, that men considered in mere nature, ought to admit
amongst themselves equality; and that he that claimeth no more, may
be esteemed moderate.
[Sidenote: By vain glory indisposed to allow equality with
themselves, to others.]
3. On the other side, considering the great difference there is in
men, from the diversity of their passions, how some are vainly
glorious, and hope for precedency and superiority above their
fellows, not only when they are equal in power, but also when they
are inferior; we must needs acknowledge that it must necessarily
follow, that those men who are moderate, and look for no more but
equality of nature, shall be obnoxious to the force of others, that
will attempt to subdue them. And from hence shall proceed a general
diffidence in mankind, and mutual fear one of another.
[Sidenote: Apt to provoke another by comparisons.]
4. Further, since men by natural passion are divers ways offensive
one to another, every man thinking well of himself, and hating to
see the same in others, they must needs provoke one another by
words, and other signs of contempt and hatred, which are incident to
all comparison, till at last they must determine the pre-eminence by
strength and force of body.
[Sidenote: Apt to encroach one upon another.]