to Religion and kindred topics.
In Chapter XIII., he deals with the natural condition of Mankind, as concerning their Felicity and Misery.

All men, he says, are by nature equal.

Differences there are in the faculties of body and mind, but, when all is taken together, not great enough to establish a steady superiority of one over another.

Besides even more than in strength, men are equal in _prudence_, which is but experience that comes to all.
People indeed generally believe that others are not so wise as themselves, but 'there is not ordinarily a greater sign of equal distribution of anything than that every person is contented with his share.' Of this equality of ability, the consequence is that two men desiring the exclusive possession of the same thing, whether for their own conservation or for delectation, will become enemies and seek to destroy each other.

In such a case, it will be natural for any man to seek to secure himself by anticipating others in the use of force or wiles; and, because some will not be content with merely securing themselves, others, who would be content, will be driven to take the offensive for mere self-conservation.