第35章 OF THE NATURAL CONDITION OF MANKIND(1)

AS CONCERNING THEIR FELICITY AND MISERY

NATURE hath made men so equal in the faculties of body and mind as that,though there be found one man sometimes manifestly stronger in body or of quicker mind than another,yet when all is reckoned together the difference between man and man is not so considerable as that one man can thereupon claim to himself any benefit to which another may not pretend as well as he.For as to the strength of body,the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest,either by secret machination or by confederacy with others that are in the same danger with himself.

And as to the faculties of the mind,setting aside the arts grounded upon words,and especially that skill of proceeding upon general and infallible rules,called science,which very few have and but in few things,as being not a native faculty born with us,nor attained,as prudence,while we look after somewhat else,I find yet a greater equality amongst men than that of strength.For prudence is but experience,which equal time equally bestows on all men in those things they equally apply themselves unto.That which may perhaps make such equality incredible is but a vain conceit of one's own wisdom,which almost all men think they have in a greater degree than the vulgar;that is,than all men but themselves,and a few others,whom by fame,or for concurring with themselves,they approve.For such is the nature of men that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty,or more eloquent or more learned,yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves;for they see their own wit at hand,and other men's at a distance.But this proveth rather that men are in that point equal,than unequal.For there is not ordinarily a greater sign of the equal distribution of anything than that every man is contented with his share.

From this equality of ability ariseth equality of hope in the attaining of our ends.And therefore if any two men desire the same thing,which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy,they become enemies;and in the way to their end (which is principally their own conservation,and sometimes their delectation only)endeavour to destroy or subdue one another.And from hence it comes to pass that where an invader hath no more to fear than another man's single power,if one plant,sow,build,or possess a convenient seat,others may probably be expected to come prepared with forces united to dispossess and deprive him,not only of the fruit of his labour,but also of his life or liberty.And the invader again is in the like danger of another.