[Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes]@TWC D-Link book
Leviathan

CHAPTER XIV
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And those are either a Feare of the consequence of breaking their word; or a Glory, or Pride in appearing not to need to breake it.

This later is a Generosity too rarely found to be presumed on, especially in the pursuers of Wealth, Command, or sensuall Pleasure; which are the greatest part of Mankind.
The Passion to be reckoned upon, is Fear; whereof there be two very generall Objects: one, the Power of Spirits Invisible; the other, the Power of those men they shall therein Offend.

Of these two, though the former be the greater Power, yet the feare of the later is commonly the greater Feare.

The Feare of the former is in every man, his own Religion: which hath place in the nature of man before Civill Society.
The later hath not so; at least not place enough, to keep men to their promises; because in the condition of meer Nature, the inequality of Power is not discerned, but by the event of Battell.

So that before the time of Civill Society, or in the interruption thereof by Warre, there is nothing can strengthen a Covenant of Peace agreed on, against the temptations of Avarice, Ambition, Lust, or other strong desire, but the feare of that Invisible Power, which they every one Worship as God; and Feare as a Revenger of their perfidy.


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