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Hobbes is arguing for the absolute power of kings to levy money and soldiers in the defense of the country and its citizens, without even having to go through parliament.
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LAWYER
I find it somewhat hard that a King should have right to take from his subjects upon the pretence of necessity what he pleaseth.
PHILOSOPHER
I know what it is that troubles your conscience in this point. All men are troubled at the crossing of their wishes, but it is our own fault. First, we wish impossibilities: we would have our security against all the world without paying for it. This is impossible. We may as well expect that fish and fowl should boil, roast, and dish themselves, and come to the table, and that grapes should squeeze themselves into our mouths, and have all other the contentments and ease which some pleasant men have related of the land of Cocagne.
-- Thomas Hobbes, “A Dialogue of the Common Law”
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For the definition of Cocagne, we have: "1. An imaginary country of idleness and luxury; 2. The land of cockneys; cockneydom; - a term applied to London and its suburbs." [The Free Dictionary]
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LAWYER
I find it somewhat hard that a King should have right to take from his subjects upon the pretence of necessity what he pleaseth.
PHILOSOPHER
I know what it is that troubles your conscience in this point. All men are troubled at the crossing of their wishes, but it is our own fault. First, we wish impossibilities: we would have our security against all the world without paying for it. This is impossible. We may as well expect that fish and fowl should boil, roast, and dish themselves, and come to the table, and that grapes should squeeze themselves into our mouths, and have all other the contentments and ease which some pleasant men have related of the land of Cocagne.
-- Thomas Hobbes, “A Dialogue of the Common Law”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For the definition of Cocagne, we have: "1. An imaginary country of idleness and luxury; 2. The land of cockneys; cockneydom; - a term applied to London and its suburbs." [The Free Dictionary]
