Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/88

vage Man living among other Animals without any Society or fixed Habitation, and finding himſelf early under a Neceſſity of meaſuring his Strength with theirs, ſoon makes a Compariſon between both, and finding that he ſurpaſſes them more in Addreſs, than they ſurpaſs him in Strength, he learns not to be any longer in dread of them. Turn out a Bear or a Wolf againſt a ſturdy, active, reſolute Savage, (and this they all are,) provided with Stones and a good Stick; and you will ſoon find that the Danger is at leaſt equal on both Sides, and that after ſeveral Trials of this Kind, wild Beaſts, who are not fond of attacking each other, will not be very fond of attacking Man, whom they have found every whit as wild as themſelves. As to Animals who have really more Strength than Man has Addreſs, he is, in regard to them, what other weaker Species are, who find Means to ſubſiſt not-