Summary

Portrait of Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes The Elements of Law — Part I, Chapter 12

But the propounding of benefits and of harms, that is to say, of reward and punishment, is the cause of our appetite and of our fears, and therefore also of our wills, so far forth as we believe that such rewards and benefits, as are propounded, shall arrive unto us. And consequently, our wills follow our opinions, as our actions follow our wills. In which sense they say truly and properly that say the world is governed by opinion.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes The Elements of Law — Part I, Chapter 12

Appetite, fear, hope, and the rest of the passions are not called voluntary; for they proceed not from, but are the will; and the will is not voluntary. For a man can no more say he will will, than he will will will, and so make an infinite repetition of the word will; which is absurd, and insignificant.
6. Forasmuch as will to do is appetite, and will to omit, fear; the causes of appetite and of fear are the causes also of our will.
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes The Elements of Law — Part I, Chapter 12

In deliberation the last appetite, as also the last fear, is called WILL (viz.) the last appetite will to do; the last fear will not to do, or will to omit. It is all one therefore to say will and last will: for though a man express his present inclination and appetite concerning the disposing of his goods, by word or writing; yet shall it not be accounted his will, because he hath liberty still to dispose of them otherwise; but when death taketh away that liberty, then it is his will.
Source: Wikisource

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature