Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Chapter 10 summary
Chapter 10 of 65 · Part 1: Of Man · 13 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 10, power means the present resources for gaining future benefits, while personal worth depends on what others offer for their use. The argument connects honour with perceived power, explains dignity through public recognition, and separates fitness for a task from a right established by a promise.
What happens
- Natural abilities and acquired resources provide power, while the union of many people produces the greatest human power.
- Personal worth depends on others’ needs and judgments, while dignity expresses the value assigned by the commonwealth.
- Requests, obedience, gifts, trust, and other acts express honour by acknowledging another person’s power.
- Honour depends on perceived power rather than justice, so unlawful or unjust actions can still receive honour.
- Inherited arms and official titles express privileges, military traditions, or recognition from sovereign authority.
- Worthiness means fitness for a particular purpose, but merit requires a right grounded in a promise.
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What distinguishes worthiness from merit?
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