CHAPTER IV.What the word Religion signifies, and how and why such a great number have been introduced in the world.I.Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.II.Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1III.The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)IV.Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.V.These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.VI.The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.VII.The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)VIII.The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)Sphinx facing right.1See Tertullianante, also Hobbes’ Leviathan, C. 12, p. 56.↑
CHAPTER IV.What the word Religion signifies, and how and why such a great number have been introduced in the world.I.Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.II.Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1III.The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)IV.Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.V.These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.VI.The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.VII.The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)VIII.The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)Sphinx facing right.1See Tertullianante, also Hobbes’ Leviathan, C. 12, p. 56.↑
CHAPTER IV.What the word Religion signifies, and how and why such a great number have been introduced in the world.I.Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.II.Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1III.The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)IV.Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.V.These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.VI.The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.VII.The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)VIII.The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)Sphinx facing right.
I.Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.
I.
Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.
Before the word Religion was introduced in the world mankind was only obliged to follow natural laws and to conform to common sense. This instinct alone was the tie by which men were united, and so very simple was this bond of unity, that nothing among them was more rare than dissensions. But when fear created a suspicion that there were Gods, and invisible powers, they raised altars to these imaginary beings, so that in putting off the yoke of Nature and Reason, which are the sources of true life, they subjected themselves by vain ceremonies and superstitious worship to frivolous phantoms of the imagination, and that is whence arose this word Religion which makes so much noise in the world.
Men having admitted invisible forces which were all-powerful over them, they worshipped them to appease them, and further imagined that Nature was a being subordinate to this power, thence they had the idea that it was a great mace that threatened, or a slave that acted only by the order that such power gave him. Since this false idea had broken their will they had only scorn for Nature, and respect only for those pretended beings that they called their Gods. Thence came the ignorance in which mankind was plunged,and from which the well-informed, however deep the abyss, could have rescued them, if their zeal had not been extinguished by those who led them blindly, and who lived by imposture. But though there was but little appearance of success in the enterprise, it was not necessary to abandon the party of truth, and only in consideration of those who were afflicted with the symptoms of so great an evil, were generous souls available to represent matters as they were.
II.Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1
II.
Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1
Fear which created Gods, made also Religion, and when men imbibed the notion that there were invisible agencies which were the cause of their good and bad fortune, they lost their good sense and reason substituting for their chimeras so manyDivinitieswho had care of their conduct.
After having forged these Gods they were curious to know of what matter they consisted, and finally imagined that they should be of the same substance as the soul. Then being persuaded that the latter resembled the shadows which appear in a mirror, or during sleep, they believed that some Gods were real substances but so thin and subtile that to distinguish them from bodies they called themSpirits. So that bodies and spirits were in effect the same thing, and differed neither more nor less, and to bebothcorporeal and incorporeal is a most incomprehensible thing. The reason given is that each spirit has a proper form, and is included within some limit, that is to say that it has some boundaries, and consequently must be a body however thin and subtile it might be.1
III.The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)
III.
The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)
The ignorant, that is, the greater part of mankind having settled in this manner the substance of their Gods, tried also to determine by what methods these invisible powers produced their effects. Not being able to do this definitely by reason of their ignorance, they put faith in their conjectures, blindly judging the future by the past, while seeing neither cohesion nor dependence.
In all that they undertook they saw but the past, and foretold good or evil for the future according as the same enterprise had at another time turned out either good or bad.Phormionhaving defeated theLacedaemoniansat the battle ofNaupacte, the Athenians, after his death, chose another general of the same name:Hannibalhaving succumbed to the arms ofScipio Africanus, the Romans, remembering this great success, sent anotherScipioto the same country againstCesar, which acts gained nothing for either the Athenians or the Romans. So after two or three experiences,goodorbad fortuneis madesynonymouswith certainnamesorplaces; others make use of certain words calledenchantments, which they believe to be efficacious; some cause trees to speak, create man from a morsel of bread, and transform anything that may appear before them. (Hobbes’ Leviathande homine. Cap. 12, p. 56–57.)
IV.Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.
IV.
Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.
Invisible powers being established in this way, straightway men revere them only as they do their rulers, that is to say, by tokens of submission and respect, as witnessofferings,prayers, and similar things, I say at first, for nature has not yet learned touse on such occasions sacrifices of blood, which have only been instituted for the benefit of the sacrificers and the ministers called to the service of thesebeautiful Gods.
V.These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.
V.
These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.
These causes ofReligion, that is,HopeandFear, leaving out the passions, judgments and various resolutions of mankind, have produced the great number of extravagant beliefs which have caused so much evil, and the many revolutions which have convulsed the nations.
The honor and revenue which attaches to the priesthood, and which has since been accorded to the ministry of the Gods, and those having ecclesiastical charges, inflame the ambition and the avarice of cunning individuals who profit by the stupidity of the people, who readily submit in their weakness, and we know how insensibly is caused the easy habit of encouraging falsehood and hating truth.
VI.The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.
VI.
The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.
The empire of falsehood being established, and the ambitious ones encouraged by the advantage of being above their fellows, the latter endeavor to gain repute by a pretense of being friendly with the invisible Gods whom the vulgar fear. For better success, each schemes in his own way, and multiplies deities so that they are met at every turn.
VII.The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)
VII.
The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)
The formless matter of the world they term the godChaos, and the same honor is accorded toheaven,earth, thesea, thewind, and theplanets, and they are made both male and female. Further on we findbirds,reptiles, thecrocodile, thecalf, thedog, thelamb, theserpent, thehog, and in fact all kinds of animals and plants constitute the better part. Each river and fountain bears the name of a God, each house had its own, each man his genius; in fact all space above and beneath the earth was occupied by spirits, shades and demons. It was not sufficient to maintain a Divinity in all imaginable places, but they feared to offendtime,day,night,concord,love,peace,victory,contention,mildew,honor,virtue,fever, andhealth, or to insult these charming divinities whom they always imagined ready to discharge lightning on the heads of men, provided temples and altars were not erected to them.
As a sequel, man commenced to fear his own specialgenius, whom some invoked under the name ofMuses, and others under the name ofFortuneadored their own ignorance. The latter sanctified their debauches in the name ofCupid, their rage in the name ofFuries, and their natural parts under the name ofPriapus, in a word, there was nothing which did not bear the name of aGodor aDemon. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, p. 58.)
VIII.The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)Sphinx facing right.
VIII.
The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)Sphinx facing right.
The founders of Religion having based their impostures on the ignorance of the people, took great care to maintain them by theadoration of imageswhich they pretended were inhabited by theGods, and this caused a flood of gold and benefactions called holy things, to pour into the coffers of the priests. These gifts were regarded as sacred, and designed for the use of these holy ministers, and none were so audacious as to pretend to their office, or even to touch them. To allure the people more successfully, these priests madeprophecies and pretended to penetrate the future by the commerce which they boasted of having with the Gods. There is nothing so natural as to know destiny. These impostors were too well informed to omit any circumstance so advantageous for their designs. Some were established atDelos, others atDelphosand elsewhere, where by ambiguous oracles they replied to the demands made of them. Women even were engaged in these impostures, and the Romans in their greatCalamitieshad recourse to theSybilline books; fools and lunatics passed forenthusiasts, and those who pretended to converse with the dead were callednecromancers.
Others read the future by the flight of birds, or by the entrails of beasts. Indeed theeyes, thehands, theface, or an extraordinary object, all seemed to them to possess a good or bad omen, so it is true that the ignorant will receive any desired impression when the secret of their wish is found. (Hobbes’de homine, Chap. 12, pp. 58–59.)
Sphinx facing right.
1See Tertullianante, also Hobbes’ Leviathan, C. 12, p. 56.↑
1See Tertullianante, also Hobbes’ Leviathan, C. 12, p. 56.↑