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. A law of nature, that every man acknowledge other for his equal.
2. Another, that men allow _æqualia æqualibus_. 3. Another, that
those things which cannot be divided, be used in common. 4.
Another, that things indivisible and incommunicable, be divided
by lot. 5. Natural lot, primogeniture, and first possession. 6.
That men submit to arbitration. 7. Of an arbitrator. 8. That no
man press his counsel upon any man against his will. 9. How to
know suddenly what is the law of nature. 10. That the law of
nature taketh place after security from others to observe the
same. 11. The right of nature not to be taken away by custom,
nor the law of nature abrogated by any act. 12. Why the dictates
of nature are called laws. 13. Whatsoever is against conscience
in a man that is his own judge, is against the law of nature.
14. Of _malum pœnæ, malum culpæ_; virtue and vice. 15. Aptitude
to society fulfilleth the law of nature.
[Sidenote: A law of nature, that every man acknowledge other for his
equal.]
1. The question, which is the better man, is determinable only in
the estate of government and policy, though it be mistaken for a
question of nature, not only by ignorant men, that think one man’s
blood better than another’s by nature, but also by him, whose
opinions are at this day, and in these parts, of greater authority
than any other human writings. For he putteth so much difference
between the powers of men by nature, that he doubteth not to set
down, as the ground of all his politics, that some men are by nature
worthy to govern, and others by nature ought to serve. Which
foundation hath not only weakened the whole frame of his politics,
but hath also given men colour and pretences, whereby to disturb and
hinder the peace of one another. For though there were such a
difference of nature, that master and servant were not by consent of
men, but by inherent virtue; yet who hath that eminency of virtue,
above others, and who is so stupid, as not to govern himself, shall
never be agreed upon amongst men, who do every one naturally think
himself, as able, at the least, to govern another, as another to
govern him. And when there was any contention between the finer and
the courser wits, (as there hath been often in times of sedition and
civil war) for the most part, these latter carried away the victory;
and as long as men arrogate to themselves more honour than they give
to others, it cannot be imagined, how they can possibly live in
peace: and consequently we are to suppose, that for peace sake,
nature hath ordained this law, _That every man acknowledge other for
his equal_. And the breach of this law, is that we call _pride_.
[Sidenote: Another, that men allow _æqualia æqualibus_.]