Leviathan eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 732 pages of information about Leviathan.

Leviathan eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 732 pages of information about Leviathan.

Of Appetites, and Aversions, some are born with men; as Appetite of food, Appetite of excretion, and exoneration, (which may also and more properly be called Aversions, from somewhat they feele in their Bodies;) and some other Appetites, not many.  The rest, which are Appetites of particular things, proceed from Experience, and triall of their effects upon themselves, or other men.  For of things wee know not at all, or believe not to be, we can have no further Desire, than to tast and try.  But Aversion wee have for things, not onely which we know have hurt us; but also that we do not know whether they will hurt us, or not.

Contempt Those things which we neither Desire, nor Hate, we are said to Contemne:  Contempt being nothing els but an immobility, or contumacy of the Heart, in resisting the action of certain things; and proceeding from that the Heart is already moved otherwise, by either more potent objects; or from want of experience of them.

And because the constitution of a mans Body, is in continuall mutation; it is impossible that all the same things should alwayes cause in him the same Appetites, and aversions:  much lesse can all men consent, in the Desire of almost any one and the same Object.

Good Evill But whatsoever is the object of any mans Appetite or Desire; that is it, which he for his part calleth Good:  And the object of his Hate, and Aversion, evill; And of his contempt, Vile, and Inconsiderable.  For these words of Good, evill, and Contemptible, are ever used with relation to the person that useth them:  There being nothing simply and absolutely so; nor any common Rule of Good and evill, to be taken from the nature of the objects themselves; but from the Person of the man (where there is no Common-wealth;) or, (in a Common-wealth,) From the Person that representeth it; or from an Arbitrator or Judge, whom men disagreeing shall by consent set up, and make his sentence the Rule thereof.

Pulchrum Turpe Delightfull Profitable Unpleasant Unprofitable The Latine Tongue has two words, whose significations approach to those of Good and Evill; but are not precisely the same; And those are Pulchrum and Turpe.  Whereof the former signifies that, which by some apparent signes promiseth Good; and the later, that, which promiseth evill.  But in our Tongue we have not so generall names to expresse them by.  But for Pulchrum, we say in some things, Fayre; in other Beautifull, or Handsome, or Gallant, or Honourable, or Comely, or Amiable; and for Turpe, Foule, Deformed, Ugly, Base, Nauseous, and the like, as the subject shall require; All which words, in their proper places signifie nothing els, but the Mine, or Countenance, that promiseth Good and evill.  So that of Good there be three kinds; Good in the Promise, that is Pulchrum; Good in Effect, as the end desired, which is called Jucundum, Delightfull; and Good as the Means, which is called Utile, Profitable; and as many of evill:  For evill, in Promise, is that they call Turpe; evill in Effect, and End, is Molestum, Unpleasant, Troublesome; and evill in the Means, Inutile, Unprofitable, Hurtfull.

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Leviathan from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.