1. IT is of itself manifest, that the actions of men proceed
from the will, and the will from hope and fear, insomuch as
when they shall see a greater good, or less evil, likely to hap-
pen to them by the breach, than observation of the laws, they
will wittingly violate them. The hope therefore which each
man hath of his security and self-preservation, consists in this,
that by force or craft he may disappoint his neighbour, either
openly, or by stratagem. Whence we may understand, that the
natural laws, though well understood, do not instantly secure
any man in their practice, and consequently, that as long as
there is no caution had from the invasion of others, there re-
mains to every man that same primitive right of self-defence,
by such means as either he can or will make use of, that is,
a right to all things, or the right of war. And it is sufficient for
the fulfilling of the natural law, that a man be prepared in
mind to embrace peace when it may be had.

2. It is a fond saying, that all laws are silent in the time
of war, and it is a true one, not only if we speak of the civil,
but also of the natural laws, provided they be referred not to
the mind, but to the actions of men, by chap. iii. art. 27. And
we mean such a war as is of all men against all men; such as
is the mere state of nature; although in the war of nation
against nation a certain mean was wont to be observed. And
therefore in old time there was a manner of living, and as it
were a certain economy, which they called ληστρικὴν, living
by rapine, which was neither against the law of nature (things

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