Observations, censures, and confutations of notorious errours in Mr. Hobbes his Leviathan and other his bookes to which are annexed occasionall anim-adversions on some writings of the Socinians and such hæreticks of the same opinion with him / by William Lucy ...

Sect. 5.

Pag. 61. He saith, that [that which may make such e∣quality (that is, of Prudence, concerning which he had spoken before) incredible, is but a vaine conceit of our own wisdome, &c. for such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more El••quent, or more Learned, yet they will hardly beleeve there are many so wise as themselves; for they see their owne wit at hand,* 1.1 and others at a distance.] This is a strange contradictory passage to its self; for first consider that what was conceited by this to be opposed, was the equa∣lity of Prudence; to oppose this he introduceth mens conceits of their own wisdome; he that reflects upon his Exposition of names in Cap. 5. pag. 22. shall find Prudence and Wisdome two things; Therefore a high esteeme of a mans own wisdom may be without the like imagina∣tion of his own Prudence. Then consider, that he saith, Men will allow others more witty, learned, eloquent, but not more wise; he proves this, because men see their own

wit at hand, mark how he said, just before, that they would allow others more wit, but not more wisdom the reason, saith he, because they see their wit at hand; would not this, if it prove any thing, prove the contrary to what he useth it? That, because their wit, not their wis∣dom, is discerned at hand, others at a distance, therefore their wit must appear great, though not their wisdom. This manner of false reasoning, unreasonable arguing, is frequent with him throughout the whole Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr Hobbes confuse, ••f not contradict••••y to himself, in arguing.