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Single Idea 24372

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life]

Full Idea

In the state of nature each is protected only by his own strength. There is the reign of passions, there there is war, fear, poverty, nastiness, solitude, barbarity, ignorance, savagery.

Gist of Idea

In nature we rely on strength, and life is utterly hideous in every respect

Source

Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], II.01)

A Reaction

He then describes a state in glowing terms. Clearly Pufendorf thought that Hobbes had been too soft in his account.

Book Reference

Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.118

Related Idea

Idea 2367 In time of war the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short [Hobbes]