10. Motion, thinking, and power have been most modified.
It is worth our observing, which of all our simple ideas
have been most modified, and had most mixed ideas made out of them, with names given to them. And those have
been these three:--thinking and motion (which are the two ideas which comprehend in them all action,) and
power, from whence these actions are conceived to flow. These simple ideas, I say, of thinking, motion, and
power, have been those which have been most modified; and out of whose modifications have been made most
complex modes, with names to them. For action being the great business of mankind, and the whole matter about
which all laws are conversant, it is no wonder that the several modes of thinking and motion should be taken
notice of, the ideas of them observed, and laid up in the memory, and have names assigned to them; without
which laws could be but ill made, or vice and disorders repressed. Nor could any communication be well had
amongst men without such complex ideas, with names to them: and therefore men have settled names, and
supposed settled ideas in their minds, of modes of actions, distinguished by their causes, means, objects, ends,
instruments, time, place, and other circumstances; and also of their powers fitted for those actions: v.g. boldness is
the power to speak or do what we intend, before others, without fear or disorder; and the Greeks call the
confidence of speaking by a peculiar name, παῤῥησίσ: which power or ability in man of doing anything, when it
has been acquired by frequent doing the same thing, is that idea we name habit; when it is forward, and ready
upon every occasion to break into action, we call it disposition. Thus, testiness is a disposition or aptness to be
angry.
To conclude: Let us examine any modes of action, v.g. consideration and assent, which are actions of the mind;
running and speaking, which are actions of the body; revenge and murder, which are actions of both together, and
we shall find them but so many collections of simple ideas, which, together, make up the complex ones signified
by those names.