Equal Distribution

 When looking into Leviathan again, I noticed a quotation that was familiar:

 And as to the faculties of the mind, (setting aside the arts grounded upon words, and especially that skill of proceeding upon generall, and infallible rules, called Science; which very few have, and but in few things; as being not a native faculty, born with us; nor attained, (as Prudence,) while we look after somewhat els,) I find yet a greater equality amongst men, than that of strength. For Prudence, is but Experience; which equall time, equally bestowes on all men, in those things they equally apply themselves unto. That which may perhaps make such equality incredible, is but a vain conceipt of ones owne wisdome, which almost all men think they have in a greater degree, than the Vulgar; that is, than all men but themselves, and a few others, whom by Fame, or for concurring with themselves, they approve. For such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned; Yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves: For they see their own wit at hand, and other mens at a distance. But this proveth rather that men are in that point equall, than unequall. For there is not ordinarily a greater signe of the equall distribution of any thing, than that every man is contented with his share.

(Chapter XIII) 

I have written about my perplexity about a similar argument in Descartes, though Descartes uses the term "good sense" rather than wisdom.

Did Hobbes really consider that he had no greater wisdom than the Vulgar? I have no particularly high estimate of my own wisdom. But I have worked with men of at least average education whose judgments on this and that, expressed in casual conversation, made me think of Learned Hand's statement that in his worst nightmares he was the defendant in a trial by jury.

 The truth may simply be that Hobbes does not wish to acknowledge anything that will tend to dilute the power of sovereignty in possession. Anything that argues against the sovereign at a given time tends to impair the sovereign's power, and open the way to civil war.