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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... I find yet a greater equality amongst men than that of
strength... 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 ... 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.