THE final cause,end,or design of men (who naturally love liberty,and dominion over others)in the introduction of that restraint upon themselves,in which we see them live in Commonwealths,is the foresight of their own preservation,and of a more contented life thereby;that is to say,of getting themselves out from that miserable condition of war which is necessarily consequent,as hath been shown,to the natural passions of men when there is no visible power to keep them in awe,and tie them by fear of punishment to the performance of their covenants,and observation of those laws of nature set down in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters.
For the laws of nature,as justice,equity,modesty,mercy,and,in sum,doing to others as we would be done to,of themselves,without the terror of some power to cause them to be observed,are contrary to our natural passions,that carry us to partiality,pride,revenge,and the like.And covenants,without the sword,are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all.Therefore,notwithstanding the laws of nature (which every one hath then kept,when he has the will to keep them,when he can do it safely),if there be no power erected,or not great enough for our security,every man will and may lawfully rely on his own strength and art for caution against all other men.
And in all places,where men have lived by small families,to rob and spoil one another has been a trade,and so far from being reputed against the law of nature that the greater spoils they gained,the greater was their honour;and men observed no other laws therein but the laws of honour;that is,to abstain from cruelty,leaving to men their lives and instruments of husbandry.And as small families did then;so now do cities and kingdoms,which are but greater families (for their own security),enlarge their dominions upon all pretences of danger,and fear of invasion,or assistance that may be given to invaders;endeavour as much as they can to subdue or weaken their neighbours by open force,and secret arts,for want of other caution,justly;and are remembered for it in after ages with honour.
Nor is it the joining together of a small number of men that gives them this security;because in small numbers,small additions on the one side or the other make the advantage of strength so great as is sufficient to carry the victory,and therefore gives encouragement to an invasion.The multitude sufficient to confide in for our security is not determined by any certain number,but by comparison with the enemy we fear;and is then sufficient when the odds of the enemy is not of so visible and conspicuous moment to determine the event of war,as to move him to attempt.
And be there never so great a multitude;yet if their actions be directed according to their particular judgements,and particular appetites,they can expect thereby no defence,nor protection,neither against a common enemy,nor against the injuries of one another.For being distracted in opinions concerning the best use and application of their strength,they do not help,but hinder one another,and reduce their strength by mutual opposition to nothing:whereby they are easily,not only subdued by a very few that agree together,but also,when there is no common enemy,they make war upon each other for their particular interests.For if we could suppose a great multitude of men to consent in the observation of justice,and other laws of nature,without a common power to keep them all in awe,we might as well suppose all mankind to do the same;and then there neither would be,nor need to be,any civil government or Commonwealth at all,because there would be peace without subjection.
Nor is it enough for the security,which men desire should last all the time of their life,that they be governed and directed by one judgement for a limited time;as in one battle,or one war.For though they obtain a victory by their unanimous endeavour against a foreign enemy,yet afterwards,when either they have no common enemy,or he that by one part is held for an enemy is by another part held for a friend,they must needs by the difference of their interests dissolve,and fall again into a war amongst themselves.
