“ If Nature therefore have made men equall, that equalitie is to be acknowledged; or if Nature have made men unequall ”
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (1651). copy citation
Author | Thomas Hobbes |
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Source | Leviathan |
Topic | |
Date | 1651 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | |
Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3207/3207-h/3207-h.htm |
Context
“For there are very few so foolish, that had not rather governe themselves, than be governed by others: Nor when the wise in their own conceit, contend by force, with them who distrust their owne wisdome, do they alwaies, or often, or almost at any time, get the Victory. If Nature therefore have made men equall, that equalitie is to be acknowledged; or if Nature have made men unequall; yet because men that think themselves equall, will not enter into conditions of Peace, but upon Equall termes, such equalitie must be admitted. And therefore for the ninth Law of Nature, I put this, "That every man acknowledge other for his Equall by Nature."”
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