首页 >出版文学> Discourse on the Origin of Inequality>第3章
  Withregardtotheinferencesthatmightbedrawn,inthecaseofseveralspeciesofanimals,themalesofwhichfillourpoultry-yardswithbloodandslaughter,orinspringmaketheforestsresoundwiththeirquarrelsovertheirfemales;wemustbeginbyexcludingallthosespecies,inwhichnaturehasplainlyestablished,inthecomparativepowerofthesexes,relationsdifferentfromthosewhichexistamongus:thuswecanbasenoconclusionaboutmenonthehabitsoffightingcocks。Inthosespecieswheretheproportionisbetterobserved,thesebattlesmustbeentirelyduetothescarcityoffemalesincomparisonwithmales;or,whatamountstothesamething,totheintervalsduringwhichthefemaleconstantlyrefusestheadvancesofthemale:forifeachfemaleadmitsthemalebutduringtwomonthsintheyear,itisthesameasifthenumberoffemaleswerefive-sixthsless。Now,neitherofthesetwocasesisapplicabletothehumanspecies,inwhichthenumberoffemalesusuallyexceedsthatofmales,andamongwhomithasneverbeenobserved,evenamongsavages,thatthefemaleshave,likethoseofotheranimals,theirstatedtimesofpassionandindifference。Moreover,inseveralofthesespecies,theindividualsalltakefireatonce,andtherecomesafearfulmomentofuniversalpassion,tumultanddisorderamongthem;ascenewhichisneverbeheldinthehumanspecies,whoseloveisnotthusseasonal。Wemustnotthenconcludefromthecombatsofsuchanimalsfortheenjoymentofthefemales,thatthecasewouldbethesamewithmankindinastateofnature:
  and,evenifwedrewsuchaconclusion,weseethatsuchcontestsdonotexterminateotherkindsofanimals,andwehavenoreasontothinktheywouldbemorefataltoours。Itisindeedclearthattheywoulddostilllessmischiefthanisthecaseinastateofsociety;especiallyinthosecountriesinwhich,moralsbeingstillheldinsomerepute,thejealousyofloversandthevengeanceofhusbandsarethedailycauseofduels,murders,andevenworsecrimes;wheretheobligationofeternalfidelityonlyoccasionsadultery,andtheverylawsofhonourandcontinencenecessarilyincreasedebaucheryandleadtothemultiplicationofabortions。
  Letusconcludethenthatmaninastateofnature,wanderingupanddowntheforests,withoutindustry,withoutspeech,andwithouthome,anequalstrangertowarandtoallties,neitherstandinginneedofhisfellow-creaturesnorhavinganydesiretohurtthem,andperhapsevennotdistinguishingthemonefromanother;letusconcludethat,beingself-sufficientandsubjecttosofewpassions,hecouldhavenofeelingsorknowledgebutsuchasbefittedhissituation;thathefeltonlyhisactualnecessities,anddisregardedeverythinghedidnotthinkhimselfimmediatelyconcernedtonotice,andthathisunderstandingmadenogreaterprogressthanhisvanity。Ifbyaccidenthemadeanydiscovery,hewasthelessabletocommunicateittoothers,ashedidnotknowevenhisownchildren。Everyartwouldnecessarilyperishwithitsinventor,wheretherewasnokindofeducationamongmen,andgenerationssucceededgenerationswithouttheleastadvance;
  when,allsettingoutfromthesamepoint,centuriesmusthaveelapsedinthebarbarismofthefirstages;whentheracewasalreadyold,andmanremainedachild。
  IfIhaveexpatiatedatsuchlengthonthissupposedprimitivestate,itisbecauseIhadsomanyancienterrorsandinveterateprejudicestoeradicate,andthereforethoughtitincumbentonmetodigdowntotheirveryroot,andshow,bymeansofatruepictureofthestateofnature,howfareventhenaturalinequalitiesofmankindarefromhavingthatrealityandinfluencewhichmodernwriterssuppose。
  Itisinfacteasytoseethatmanyofthedifferenceswhichdistinguishmenaremerelytheeffectofhabitandthedifferentmethodsoflifemenadoptinsociety。Thusarobustordelicateconstitution,andthestrengthorweaknessattachingtoit,aremorefrequentlytheeffectsofahardyoreffeminatemethodofeducationthanoftheoriginalendowmentofthebody。Itisthesamewiththepowersofthemind;foreducationnotonlymakesadifferencebetweensuchasareculturedandsuchasarenot,butevenincreasesthedifferenceswhichexistamongtheformer,inproportiontotheirrespectivedegreesofculture:asthedistancebetweenagiantandadwarfonthesameroadincreaseswitheverysteptheytake。Ifwecomparetheprodigiousdiversity,whichobtainsintheeducationandmanneroflifeofthevariousordersofmeninthestateofsociety,withtheuniformityandsimplicityofanimalandsavagelife,inwhicheveryonelivesonthesamekindoffoodandinexactlythesamemanner,anddoesexactlythesamethings,itiseasytoconceivehowmuchlessthedifferencebetweenmanandmanmustbeinastateofnaturethaninastateofsociety,andhowgreatlythenaturalinequalityofmankindmustbeincreasedbytheinequalitiesofsocialinstitutions。
  Butevenifnaturereallyaffected,inthedistributionofhergifts,thatpartialitywhichisimputedtoher,whatadvantagewouldthegreatestofherfavouritesderivefromit,tothedetrimentofothers,inastatethatadmitsofhardlyanykindofrelationbetweenthem?Wherethereisnolove,ofwhatadvantageisbeauty?Ofwhatuseiswittothosewhodonotconverse,orcunningtothosewhohavenobusinesswithothers?Ihearitconstantlyrepeatedthat,insuchastate,thestrongwouldoppresstheweak;butwhatisheremeantbyoppression?Some,itissaid,wouldviolentlydomineeroverothers,whowouldgroanunderaservilesubmissiontotheircaprices。ThisindeedisexactlywhatIobservetobethecaseamongus;butIdonotseehowitcanbeinferredofmeninastateofnature,whocouldnoteasilybebroughttoconceivewhatwemeanbydominionandservitude。Oneman,itistrue,mightseizethefruitswhichanotherhadgathered,thegamehehadkilled,orthecavehehadchosenforshelter;
  buthowwouldheeverbeabletoexactobedience,andwhattiesofdependencecouldtherebeamongmenwithoutpossessions?If,forinstance,Iamdrivenfromonetree,Icangotothenext;ifIamdisturbedinoneplace,whathindersmefromgoingtoanother?Again,shouldIhappentomeetwithamansomuchstrongerthanmyself,andatthesametimesodepraved,soindolent,andsobarbarous,astocompelmetoprovideforhissustenancewhilehehimselfremainsidle;hemusttakecarenottohavehiseyesoffmeforasinglemoment;hemustbindmefastbeforehegoestosleep,orIshallcertainlyeitherknockhimontheheadormakemyescape。Thatistosay,hemustinsuchacasevoluntarilyexposehimselftomuchgreatertroublethanheseekstoavoid,orcangiveme。Afterallthis,lethimbeoffhisguardeversolittle;lethimbutturnhisheadasideatanysuddennoise,andIshallbeinstantlytwentypacesoff,lostintheforest,and,myfettersburstasunder,hewouldneverseemeagain。
  Withoutmyexpatiatingthususelesslyonthesedetails,everyonemustseethatasthebondsofservitudeareformedmerelybythemutualdependenceofmenononeanotherandthereciprocalneedsthatunitethem,itisimpossibletomakeanymanaslave,unlesshebefirstreducedtoasituationinwhichhecannotdowithoutthehelpofothers:and,sincesuchasituationdoesnotexistinastateofnature,everyoneistherehisownmaster,andthelawofthestrongestisofnoeffect。
  Havingprovedthattheinequalityofmankindishardlyfelt,andthatitsinfluenceisnexttonothinginastateofnature,Imustnextshowitsoriginandtraceitsprogressinthesuccessivedevelopmentsofthehumanmind。Havingshownthathumanperfectibility,thesocialvirtues,andtheotherfacultieswhichnaturalmanpotentiallypossessed,couldneverdevelopofthemselves,butmustrequirethefortuitousconcurrenceofmanyforeigncausesthatmightneverarise,andwithoutwhichhewouldhaveremainedforeverinhisprimitivecondition,Imustnowcollectandconsiderthedifferentaccidentswhichmayhaveimprovedthehumanunderstandingwhiledepravingthespecies,andmademanwickedwhilemakinghimsociable;
  soastobringhimandtheworldfromthatdistantperiodtothepointatwhichwenowbeholdthem。
  Iconfessthat,astheeventsIamgoingtodescribemighthavehappenedinvariousways,Ihavenothingtodeterminemychoicebutconjectures:
  butsuchconjecturesbecomereasons,whentheyarethemostprobablethatcanbedrawnfromthenatureofthings,andtheonlymeansofdiscoveringthetruth。Theconsequences,however,whichImeantodeducewillnotbebarelyconjectural;as,ontheprinciplesjustlaiddown,itwouldbeimpossibletoformanyothertheorythatwouldnotfurnishthesameresults,andfromwhichIcouldnotdrawthesameconclusions。
  Thiswillbeasufficientapologyformynotdwellingonthemannerinwhichthelapseoftimecompensatesforthelittleprobabilityintheevents;onthesurprisingpoweroftrivialcauses,whentheiractionisconstant;ontheimpossibility,ontheonehand,ofdestroyingcertainhypotheses,thoughontheotherwecannotgivethemthecertaintyofknownmattersoffact;onitsbeingwithintheprovinceofhistory,whentwofactsaregivenasreal,andhavetobeconnectedbyaseriesofintermediatefacts,whichareunknownorsupposedtobeso,tosupplysuchfactsasmayconnectthem;andonitsbeingintheprovinceofphilosophywhenhistoryissilent,todeterminesimilarfactstoservethesameend;andlastly,ontheinfluenceofsimilarity,which,inthecaseofevents,reducesthefactstoamuchsmallernumberofdifferentclassesthaniscommonlyimagined。
  Itisenoughformetoofferthesehintstotheconsiderationofmyjudges,andtohavesoarrangedthatthegeneralreaderhasnoneedtoconsiderthematall。
  1。SeeAppendix。
  2。Justin,Hist。ii。2。Somuchmoredoestheignoranceofviceprofittheonesortthantheknowledgeofvirtuetheother。
  3。Egoismmustnotbeconfusedwithself-respect:
  fortheydifferbothinthemselvesandintheireffects。Self-respectisanaturalfeelingwhichleadseveryanimaltolooktoitsownpreservation,andwhich,guidedinmanbyreasonandmodifiedbycompassion,createshumanityandvirtue。Egoismisapurelyrelativeandfactitiousfeeling,whicharisesinthestateofsociety,leadseachindividualtomakemoreofhimselfthanofanyother,causesallthemutualdamagemeninflictoneonanother,andistherealsourceofthe"senseofhonour。"Thisbeingunderstood,Imaintainthat,inourprimitivecondition,inthetruestateofnature,egoismdidnotexist;foraseachmanregardedhimselfastheonlyobserverofhisactions,theonlybeingintheuniversewhotookanyinterestinhim,andthesolejudgeofhisdeserts,nofeelingarisingfromcomparisonshecouldnotbeledtomakecouldtakerootinhissoul;
  andforthesamereason,hecouldknowneitherhatrednorthedesireforrevenge,sincethesepassionscanspringonlyfromasenseofinjury:andasitisthecontemptortheintentiontohurt,andnottheharmdone,whichconstitutestheinjury,menwhoneithervaluednorcomparedthemselvescoulddooneanothermuchviolence,whenitsuitedthem,withoutfeelinganysenseofinjury。Inaword,eachman,regardinghisfellowsalmostasheregardedanimalsofdifferentspecies,mightseizethepreyofaweakeroryielduphisowntoastronger,andyetconsidertheseactsofviolenceasmerenaturaloccurrences,withouttheslightestemotionofinsolenceordespite,oranyotherfeelingthanthejoyorgriefofsuccessorfailure。
  4。Natureavowsshegavethehumanracethesoftesthearts,whogavethemtears。
  Rousseau:OntheOriginofInequality:SecondPartTHESECONDPARTTHEfirstmanwho,havingenclosedapieceofground,bethoughthimselfofsayingThisismine,andfoundpeoplesimpleenoughtobelievehim,wastherealfounderofcivilsociety。Fromhowmanycrimes,warsandmurders,fromhowmanyhorrorsandmisfortunesmightnotanyonehavesavedmankind,bypullingupthestakes,orfillinguptheditch,andcryingtohisfellows,"Bewareoflisteningtothisimpostor;youareundoneifyouonceforgetthatthefruitsoftheearthbelongtousall,andtheearthitselftonobody。"
  Butthereisgreatprobabilitythatthingshadthenalreadycometosuchapitch,thattheycouldnolongercontinueastheywere;fortheideaofpropertydependsonmanypriorideas,whichcouldonlybeacquiredsuccessively,andcannothavebeenformedallatonceinthehumanmind。Mankindmusthavemadeveryconsiderableprogress,andacquiredconsiderableknowledgeandindustrywhichtheymustalsohavetransmittedandincreasedfromagetoage,beforetheyarrivedatthislastpointofthestateofnature。
  Letusthengofartherback,andendeavourtounifyunderasinglepointofviewthatslowsuccessionofeventsanddiscoveriesinthemostnaturalorder。
  Man’sfirstfeelingwasthatofhisownexistence,andhisfirstcarethatofself-preservation。Theproduceoftheearthfurnishedhimwithallheneeded,andinstincttoldhimhowtouseit。Hungerandotherappetitesmadehimatvarioustimesexperiencevariousmodesofexistence;andamongthesewasonewhichurgedhimtopropagatehisspecies?ablindpropensitythat,havingnothingtodowiththeheart,producedamerelyanimalact。
  Thewantoncegratified,thetwosexeskneweachothernomore;andeventheoffspringwasnothingtoitsmother,assoonasitcoulddowithouther。
  Suchwastheconditionofinfantman;thelifeofananimallimitedatfirsttomeresensations,andhardlyprofitingbythegiftsnaturebestowedonhim,muchlesscapableofentertainingathoughtofforcinganythingfromher。Butdifficultiessoonpresentedthemselves,anditbecamenecessarytolearnhowtosurmountthem:theheightofthetrees,whichpreventedhimfromgatheringtheirfruits,thecompetitionofotheranimalsdesirousofthesamefruits,andtheferocityofthosewhoneededthemfortheirownpreservation,allobligedhimtoapplyhimselftobodilyexercises。
  Hehadtobeactive,swiftoffoot,andvigorousinfight。Naturalweapons,stonesandsticks,wereeasilyfound:helearnttosurmounttheobstaclesofnature,tocontendincaseofnecessitywithotheranimals,andtodisputeforthemeansofsubsistenceevenwithothermen,ortoindemnifyhimselfforwhathewasforcedtogiveuptoastronger。
  Inproportionasthehumanracegrewmorenumerous,men’scaresincreased。
  Thedifferenceofsoils,climatesandseasons,musthaveintroducedsomedifferencesintotheirmannerofliving。Barrenyears,longandsharpwinters,scorchingsummerswhichparchedthefruitsoftheearth,musthavedemandedanewindustry。Ontheseashoreandthebanksofrivers,theyinventedthehookandline,andbecamefishermenandeatersoffish。Intheforeststheymadebowsandarrows,andbecamehuntsmenandwarriors。Incoldcountriestheyclothedthemselveswiththeskinsofthebeaststheyhadslain。Thelightning,avolcano,orsomeluckychanceacquaintedthemwithfire,anewresourceagainsttherigoursofwinter:theynextlearnedhowtopreservethiselement,thenhowtoreproduceit,andfinallyhowtopreparewithitthefleshofanimalswhichbeforetheyhadeatenraw。
  Thisrepeatedrelevanceofvariousbeingstohimself,andonetoanother,wouldnaturallygiveriseinthehumanmindtotheperceptionsofcertainrelationsbetweenthem。Thustherelationswhichwedenotebytheterms,great,small,strong,weak,swift,slow,fearful,bold,andthelike,almostinsensiblycomparedatneed,musthaveatlengthproducedinhimakindofreflection,orratheramechanicalprudence,whichwouldindicatetohimtheprecautionsmostnecessarytohissecurity。
  Thenewintelligencewhichresultedfromthisdevelopmentincreasedhissuperiorityoverotheranimals,bymakinghimsensibleofit。Hewouldnowendeavour,therefore,toensnarethem,wouldplaythemathousandtricks,andthoughmanyofthemmightsurpasshiminswiftnessorinstrength,wouldintimebecomethemasterofsomeandthescourgeofothers。Thus,thefirsttimehelookedintohimself,hefeltthefirstemotionofpride;
  and,atatimewhenhescarceknewhowtodistinguishthedifferentordersofbeings,bylookinguponhisspeciesasofthehighestorder,hepreparedthewayforassumingpre-eminenceasanindividual。
  Othermen,itistrue,werenotthentohimwhattheynowaretous,andhehadnogreaterintercoursewiththemthanwithotheranimals;yettheywerenotneglectedinhisobservations。Theconformities,whichhewouldintimediscoverbetweenthem,andbetweenhimselfandhisfemale,ledhimtojudgeofotherswhichwerenotthenperceptible;andfindingthattheyallbehavedashehimselfwouldhavedoneinlikecircumstances,henaturallyinferredthattheirmannerofthinkingandactingwasaltogetherinconformitywithhisown。Thisimportanttruth,oncedeeplyimpressedonhismind,musthaveinducedhim,fromanintuitivefeelingmorecertainandmuchmorerapidthananykindofreasoning,topursuetherulesofconduct,whichhehadbestobservetowardsthem,forhisownsecurityandadvantage。
  Taughtbyexperiencethattheloveofwell-beingisthesolemotiveofhumanactions,hefoundhimselfinapositiontodistinguishthefewcases,inwhichmutualinterestmightjustifyhiminrelyingupontheassistanceofhisfellows;andalsothestillfewercasesinwhichaconflictofinterestsmightgivecausetosuspectthem。Intheformercase,hejoinedinthesameherdwiththem,oratmostinsomekindoflooseassociation,thatlaidnorestraintonitsmembers,andlastednolongerthanthetransitoryoccasionthatformedit。Inthelattercase,everyonesoughthisownprivateadvantage,eitherbyopenforce,ifhethoughthimselfstrongenough,orbyaddressandcunning,ifhefelthimselftheweaker。
  Inthismanner,menmayhaveinsensiblyacquiredsomegrossideasofmutualundertakings,andoftheadvantagesoffulfillingthem:thatis,justsofarastheirpresentandapparentinterestwasconcerned:fortheywereperfectstrangerstoforesight,andweresofarfromtroublingthemselvesaboutthedistantfuture,thattheyhardlythoughtofthemorrow。Ifadeerwastobetaken,everyonesawthat,inordertosucceed,hemustabidefaithfullybyhispost:butifaharehappenedtocomewithinthereachofanyoneofthem,itisnottobedoubtedthathepursueditwithoutscruple,and,havingseizedhisprey,caredverylittle,ifbysodoinghecausedhiscompanionstomisstheirs。
  Itiseasytounderstandthatsuchintercoursewouldnotrequirealanguagemuchmorerefinedthanthatofrooksormonkeys,whoassociatetogetherformuchthesamepurpose。Inarticulatecries,plentyofgesturesandsomeimitativesounds,musthavebeenforalongtimetheuniversallanguage;
  andbytheaddition,ineverycountry,ofsomeconventionalarticulatesounds(ofwhich,asIhavealreadyintimated,thefirstinstitutionisnottooeasytoexplain)particularlanguageswereproduced;butthesewererudeandimperfect,andnearlysuchasarenowtobefoundamongsomesavagenations。
  Hurriedonbytherapidityoftime,bytheabundanceofthingsIhavetosay,andbythealmostinsensibleprogressofthingsintheirbeginnings,Ipassoverinaninstantamultitudeofages;fortheslowertheeventswereintheirsuccession,themorerapidlymaytheybedescribed。
  Thesefirstadvancesenabledmentomakeotherswithgreaterrapidity。
  Inproportionastheygrewenlightened,theygrewindustrious。Theyceasedtofallasleepunderthefirsttree,orinthefirstcavethataffordedthemshelter;theyinventedseveralkindsofimplementsofhardandsharpstones,whichtheyusedtodiguptheearth,andtocutwood;theythenmadehutsoutofbranches,andafterwardslearnttoplasterthemoverwithmudandclay。Thiswastheepochofafirstrevolution,whichestablishedanddistinguishedfamilies,andintroducedakindofproperty,initselfthesourceofathousandquarrelsandconflicts。As,however,thestrongestwereprobablythefirsttobuildthemselveshutswhichtheyfeltthemselvesabletodefend,itmaybeconcludedthattheweakfounditmucheasierandsafertoimitate,thantoattempttodislodgethem:andofthosewhowereonceprovidedwithhuts,nonecouldhaveanyinducementtoappropriatethatofhisneighbour;notindeedsomuchbecauseitdidnotbelongtohim,asbecauseitcouldbeofnouse,andhecouldnotmakehimselfmasterofitwithoutexposinghimselftoadesperatebattlewiththefamilywhichoccupiedit。
  Thefirstexpansionsofthehumanheartweretheeffectsofanovelsituation,whichunitedhusbandsandwives,fathersandchildren,underoneroof。Thehabitoflivingtogethersoongaverisetothefinestfeelingsknowntohumanity,conjugalloveandpaternalaffection。Everyfamilybecamealittlesociety,themoreunitedbecauselibertyandreciprocalattachmentweretheonlybondsofitsunion。Thesexes,whosemanneroflifehadbeenhithertothesame,begannowtoadoptdifferentwaysofliving。Thewomenbecamemoresedentary,andaccustomedthemselvestomindthehutandtheirchildren,whilethemenwentabroadinsearchoftheircommonsubsistence。
  Fromlivingasofterlife,bothsexesalsobegantolosesomethingoftheirstrengthandferocity:but,ifindividualsbecametosomeextentlessabletoencounterwildbeastsseparately,theyfoundit,ontheotherhand,easiertoassembleandresistincommon。
  Thesimplicityandsolitudeofman’slifeinthisnewcondition,thepaucityofhiswants,andtheimplementshehadinventedtosatisfythem,lefthimagreatdealofleisure,whichheemployedtofurnishhimselfwithmanyconveniencesunknowntohisfathers:andthiswasthefirstyokeheinadvertentlyimposedonhimself,andthefirstsourceoftheevilshepreparedforhisdescendants。For,besidescontinuingthustoenervatebothbodyandmind,theseconvenienceslostwithusealmostalltheirpowertoplease,andevendegeneratedintorealneeds,tillthewantofthembecamefarmoredisagreeablethanthepossessionofthemhadbeenpleasant。
  Menwouldhavebeenunhappyatthelossofthem,thoughthepossessiondidnotmakethemhappy。
  Wecanhereseealittlebetterhowtheuseofspeechbecameestablished,andinsensiblyimprovedineachfamily,andwemayformaconjecturealsoconcerningthemannerinwhichvariouscausesmayhaveextendedandacceleratedtheprogressoflanguage,bymakingitmoreandmorenecessary。Floodsorearthquakessurroundedinhabiteddistrictswithprecipicesorwaters:
  revolutionsoftheglobetoreoffportionsfromthecontinent,andmadethemislands。Itisreadilyseenthatamongmenthuscollectedandcompelledtolivetogether,acommonidiommusthavearisenmuchmoreeasilythanamongthosewhostillwanderedthroughtheforestsofthecontinent。Thusitisverypossiblethataftertheirfirstessaysinnavigationtheislandersbroughtovertheuseofspeechtothecontinent:anditisatleastveryprobablethatcommunitiesandlanguageswerefirstestablishedinislands,andevencametoperfectiontherebeforetheywereknownonthemainland。
  Everythingnowbeginstochangeitsaspect。Men,whohaveuptonowbeenrovinginthewoods,bytakingtoamoresettledmanneroflife,comegraduallytogether,formseparatebodies,andatlengthineverycountryarisesadistinctnation,unitedincharacterandmanners,notbyregulationsorlaws,butbyuniformityoflifeandfood,andthecommoninfluenceofclimate。Permanentneighbourhoodcouldnotfailtoproduce,intime,someconnectionbetweendifferentfamilies。Amongyoungpeopleofoppositesexes,livinginneighbouringhuts,thetransientcommercerequiredbynaturesoonled,throughmutualintercourse,toanotherkindnotlessagreeable,andmorepermanent。Menbegannowtotakethedifferencebetweenobjectsintoaccount,andtomakecomparisons;theyacquiredimperceptiblytheideasofbeautyandmerit,whichsoongaverisetofeelingsofpreference。
  Inconsequenceofseeingeachotheroften,theycouldnotdowithoutseeingeachotherconstantly。Atenderandpleasantfeelinginsinuateditselfintotheirsouls,andtheleastoppositionturneditintoanimpetuousfury:withlovearosejealousy;discordtriumphed,andhumanbloodwassacrificedtothegentlestofallpassions。
  Asideasandfeelingssucceededoneanother,andheartandheadwerebroughtintoplay,mencontinuedtolayasidetheiroriginalwildness;
  theirprivateconnectionsbecameeverydaymoreintimateastheirlimitsextended。Theyaccustomedthemselvestoassemblebeforetheirhutsroundalargetree;singinganddancing,thetrueoffspringofloveandleisure,becametheamusement,orrathertheoccupation,ofmenandwomenthusassembledtogetherwithnothingelsetodo。Eachonebegantoconsidertherest,andtowishtobeconsideredinturn;andthusavaluecametobeattachedtopublicesteem。Whoeversangordancedbest,whoeverwasthehandsomest,thestrongest,themostdexterous,orthemosteloquent,cametobeofmostconsideration;andthiswasthefirststeptowardsinequality,andatthesametimetowardsvice。Fromthesefirstdistinctionsaroseontheonesidevanityandcontemptandontheothershameandenvy:andthefermentationcausedbythesenewleavensendedbyproducingcombinationsfataltoinnocenceandhappiness。
  Assoonasmenbegantovalueoneanother,andtheideaofconsiderationhadgotafootinginthemind,everyoneputinhisclaimtoit,anditbecameimpossibletorefuseittoanywithimpunity。Hencearosethefirstobligationsofcivilityevenamongsavages;andeveryintendedinjurybecameanaffront;because,besidesthehurtwhichmightresultfromit,thepartyinjuredwascertaintofindinitacontemptforhisperson,whichwasoftenmoreinsupportablethanthehurtitself。
  Thus,aseverymanpunishedthecontemptshownhimbyothers,inproportiontohisopinionofhimself,revengebecameterrible,andmenbloodyandcruel。Thisispreciselythestatereachedbymostofthesavagenationsknowntous:anditisforwantofhavingmadeaproperdistinctioninourideas,andseehowveryfartheyalreadyarefromthestateofnature,thatsomanywritershavehastilyconcludedthatmanisnaturallycruel,andrequirescivilinstitutionstomakehimmoremild;whereasnothingismoregentlethanmaninhisprimitivestate,asheisplacedbynatureatanequaldistancefromthestupidityofbrutes,andthefatalingenuityofcivilisedman。Equallyconfinedbyinstinctandreasontothesolecareofguardinghimselfagainstthemischiefswhichthreatenhim,heisrestrainedbynaturalcompassionfromdoinganyinjurytoothers,andisnotledtodosuchathingeveninreturnforinjuriesreceived。For,accordingtotheaxiomofthewiseLocke,Therecanbenoinjury,wherethereisnoproperty。
  Butitmustberemarkedthatthesocietythusformed,andtherelationsthusestablishedamongmen,requiredofthemqualitiesdifferentfromthosewhichtheypossessedfromtheirprimitiveconstitution。Moralitybegantoappearinhumanactions,andeveryone,beforetheinstitutionoflaw,wastheonlyjudgeandavengeroftheinjuriesdonehim,sothatthegoodnesswhichwassuitableinthepurestateofnaturewasnolongerproperinthenew-bornstateofsociety。Punishmentshadtobemademoresevere,asopportunitiesofoffendingbecamemorefrequent,andthedreadofvengeancehadtotaketheplaceoftherigourofthelaw。Thus,thoughmenhadbecomelesspatient,andtheirnaturalcompassionhadalreadysufferedsomediminution,thisperiodofexpansionofthehumanfaculties,keepingajustmeanbetweentheindolenceoftheprimitivestateandthepetulantactivityofouregoism,musthavebeenthehappiestandmoststableofepochs。Themorewereflectonit,themoreweshallfindthatthisstatewastheleastsubjecttorevolutions,andaltogethertheverybestmancouldexperience;sothathecanhavedepartedfromitonlythroughsomefatalaccident,which,forthepublicgood,shouldneverhavehappened。Theexampleofsavages,mostofwhomhavebeenfoundinthisstate,seemstoprovethatmenweremeanttoremaininit,thatitistherealyouthoftheworld,andthatallsubsequentadvanceshavebeenapparentlysomanystepstowardstheperfectionoftheindividual,butinrealitytowardsthedecrepitudeofthespecies。
  Solongasmenremainedcontentwiththeirrustichuts,solongastheyweresatisfiedwithclothesmadeoftheskinsofanimalsandsewntogetherwiththornsandfish-bones,adornedthemselvesonlywithfeathersandshells,andcontinuedtopainttheirbodiesdifferentcolours,toimproveandbeautifytheirbowsandarrowsandtomakewithsharp-edgedstonesfishingboatsorclumsymusicalinstruments;inaword,solongastheyundertookonlywhatasinglepersoncouldaccomplish,andconfinedthemselvestosuchartsasdidnotrequirethejointlabourofseveralhands,theylivedfree,healthy,honestandhappylives,solongastheirnatureallowed,andastheycontinuedtoenjoythepleasuresofmutualandindependentintercourse。
  Butfromthemomentonemanbegantostandinneedofthehelpofanother;
  fromthemomentitappearedadvantageoustoanyonemantohaveenoughprovisionsfortwo,equalitydisappeared,propertywasintroduced,workbecameindispensable,andvastforestsbecamesmilingfields,whichmanhadtowaterwiththesweatofhisbrow,andwhereslaveryandmiseryweresoonseentogerminateandgrowupwiththecrops。
  Metallurgyandagriculturewerethetwoartswhichproducedthisgreatrevolution。Thepoetstellusitwasgoldandsilver,but,forthephilosophers,itwasironandcorn,whichfirstcivilisedmen,andruinedhumanity。ThusbothwereunknowntothesavagesofAmerica,whoforthatreasonarestillsavage:theothernationsalsoseemtohavecontinuedinastateofbarbarismwhiletheypractisedonlyoneofthesearts。Oneofthebestreasons,perhaps,whyEuropehasbeen,ifnotlonger,atleastmoreconstantlyandhighlycivilisedthantherestoftheworld,isthatitisatoncethemostabundantinironandthemostfertileincorn。
  Itisdifficulttoconjecturehowmenfirstcametoknowanduseiron;
  foritisimpossibletosupposetheywouldofthemselvesthinkofdiggingtheoreoutofthemine,andpreparingitforsmelting,beforetheyknewwhatwouldbetheresult。Ontheotherhand,wehavethelessreasontosupposethisdiscoverytheeffectofanyaccidentalfire,asminesareonlyformedinbarrenplaces,bareoftreesandplants;sothatitlooksasifnaturehadtakenpainstokeepthatfatalsecretfromus。Thereremains,therefore,onlytheextraordinaryaccidentofsomevolcanowhich,byejectingmetallicsubstancesalreadyinfusion,suggestedtothespectatorstheideaofimitatingthenaturaloperation。Andwemustfurtherconceivethemaspossessedofuncommoncourageandforesight,toundertakesolaboriousawork,withsodistantaprospectofdrawingadvantagefromit;yetthesequalitiesareunitedonlyinmindsmoreadvancedthanwecansupposethoseofthesefirstdiscovererstohavebeen。
  Withregardtoagriculture,theprinciplesofitwereknownlongbeforetheywereputinpractice;anditisindeedhardlypossiblethatmen,constantlyemployedindrawingtheirsubsistencefromplantsandtrees,shouldnotreadilyacquireaknowledgeofthemeansmadeuseofbynatureforthepropagationofvegetables。Itwasinallprobabilityverylong,however,beforetheirindustrytookthatturn,eitherbecausetrees,whichtogetherwithhuntingandfishingaffordedthemfood,didnotrequiretheirattention;
  orbecausetheywereignorantoftheuseofcorn,orwithoutinstrumentstocultivateit;orbecausetheylackedforesighttofutureneeds;orlastily,becausetheywerewithoutmeansofpreventingothersfromrobbingthemofthefruitoftheirlabour。
  Whentheygrewmoreindustrious,itisnaturaltobelievethattheybegan,withthehelpofsharpstonesandpointedsticks,tocultivateafewvegetablesorrootsaroundtheirhuts;thoughitwaslongbeforetheyknewhowtopreparecorn,orwereprovidedwiththeimplementsnecessaryforraisingitinanylargequantity;nottomentionhowessentialitis,forhusbandry,toconsenttoimmediateloss,inordertoreapafuturegain?aprecautionveryforeigntotheturnofasavage’smind;for,asIhavesaid,hehardlyforeseesinthemorningwhathewillneedatnight。
  Theinventionoftheotherartsmustthereforehavebeennecessarytocompelmankindtoapplythemselvestoagriculture。Nosoonerwereartificerswantedtosmeltandforgeiron,thanotherswererequiredtomaintainthem;
  themorehandsthatwereemployedinmanufactures,thefewerwerelefttoprovideforthecommonsubsistence,thoughthenumberofmouthstobefurnishedwithfoodremainedthesame:andassomerequiredcommoditiesinexchangefortheiriron,therestatlengthdiscoveredthemethodofmakingironserveforthemultiplicationofcommodities。Bythismeanstheartsofhusbandryandagriculturewereestablishedontheonehand,andtheartofworkingmetalsandmultiplyingtheirusesontheother。
  Thecultivationoftheearthnecessarilybroughtaboutitsdistribution;
  andproperty,oncerecognised,gaverisetothefirstrulesofjustice;
  for,tosecureeachmanhisown,ithadtobepossibleforeachtohavesomething。Besides,asmenbegantolookforwardtothefuture,andallhadsomethingtolose,everyonehadreasontoapprehendthatreprisalswouldfollowanyinjuryhemightdotoanother。Thisoriginissomuchthemorenatural,asitisimpossibletoconceivehowpropertycancomefromanythingbutmanuallabour:forwhatelsecanamanaddtothingswhichhedoesnotoriginallycreate,soastomakethemhisownproperty?
  Itisthehusbandman’slabouralonethat,givinghimatitletotheproduceofthegroundhehastilled,giveshimaclaimalsotothelanditself,atleasttillharvest,andso,fromyeartoyear,aconstantpossessionwhichiseasilytransformedintoproperty。Whentheancients,saysGrotius,gavetoCeresthetitleofLegislatrix,andtoafestivalcelebratedinherhonourthenameofThesmophoria,theymeantbythatthatthedistributionoflandshadproducedanewkindofright:thatistosay,therightofproperty,whichisdifferentfromtherightdeduciblefromthelawofnature。
  Inthisstateofaffairs,equalitymighthavebeensustained,hadthetalentsofindividualsbeenequal,andhad,forexample,theuseofironandtheconsumptionofcommoditiesalwaysexactlybalancedeachother;
  but,astherewasnothingtopreservethisbalance,itwassoondisturbed;
  thestrongestdidmostwork;themostskilfulturnedhislabourtobestaccount;themostingeniousdevisedmethodsofdiminishinghislabour:
  thehusbandmanwantedmoreiron,orthesmithmorecorn,and,whilebothlabouredequally,theonegainedagreatdealbyhiswork,whiletheothercouldhardlysupporthimself。Thusnaturalinequalityunfoldsitselfinsensiblywiththatofcombination,andthedifferencebetweenmen,developedbytheirdifferentcircumstances,becomesmoresensibleandpermanentinitseffects,andbeginstohaveaninfluence,inthesameproportion,overthelotofindividuals。
  Mattersonceatthispitch,itiseasytoimaginetherest。Ishallnotdetainthereaderwithadescriptionofthesuccessiveinventionofotherarts,thedevelopmentoflanguage,thetrialandutilisationoftalents,theinequalityoffortunes,theuseandabuseofriches,andallthedetailsconnectedwiththemwhichthereadercaneasilysupplyforhimself。Ishallconfinemyselftoaglanceatmankindinthisnewsituation。
  Beholdthenallhumanfacultiesdeveloped,memoryandimaginationinfullplay,egoisminterested,reasonactive,andthemindalmostatthehighestpointofitsperfection。Beholdallthenaturalqualitiesinaction,therankandconditionofeverymanassignedhim;notmerelyhisshareofpropertyandhispowertoserveorinjureothers,butalsohiswit,beauty,strengthorskill,meritortalents:andthesebeingtheonlyqualitiescapableofcommandingrespect,itsoonbecamenecessarytopossessortoaffectthem。
  Itnowbecametheinterestofmentoappearwhattheyreallywerenot。
  Tobeandtoseembecametwototallydifferentthings;andfromthisdistinctionspranginsolentpompandcheatingtrickery,withallthenumerousvicesthatgointheirtrain。Ontheotherhand,freeandindependentasmenwerebefore,theywerenow,inconsequenceofamultiplicityofnewwants,broughtintosubjection,asitwere,toallnature,andparticularlytooneanother;andeachbecameinsomedegreeaslaveeveninbecomingthemasterofothermen:ifrich,theystoodinneedoftheservicesofothers;
  ifpoor,oftheirassistance;andevenamiddleconditiondidnotenablethemtodowithoutoneanother。Manmustnow,therefore,havebeenperpetuallyemployedingettingotherstointerestthemselvesinhislot,andinmakingthem,apparentlyatleast,ifnotreally,findtheiradvantageinpromotinghisown。Thushemusthavebeenslyandartfulinhisbehaviourtosome,andimperiousandcrueltoothers;beingunderakindofnecessitytoill-useallthepersonsofwhomhestoodinneed,whenhecouldnotfrightenthemintocompliance,anddidnotjudgeithisinteresttobeusefultothem。
  Insatiableambition,thethirstofraisingtheirrespectivefortunes,notsomuchfromrealwantasfromthedesiretosurpassothers,inspiredallmenwithavilepropensitytoinjureoneanother,andwithasecretjealousy,whichisthemoredangerous,asitputsonthemaskofbenevolence,tocarryitspointwithgreatersecurity。Inaword,therearoserivalryandcompetitionontheonehand,andconflictinginterestsontheother,togetherwithasecretdesireonbothofprofitingattheexpenseofothers。Alltheseevilswerethefirsteffectsofproperty,andtheinseparableattendantsofgrowinginequality。
  Beforetheinventionofsignstorepresentriches,wealthcouldhardlyconsistinanythingbutlandsandcattle,theonlyrealpossessionsmencanhave。But,wheninheritancessoincreasedinnumberandextentastooccupythewholeoftheland,andtoborderononeanother,onemancouldaggrandisehimselfonlyattheexpenseofanother;atthesametimethesupernumeraries,whohadbeentooweakortooindolenttomakesuchacquisitions,andhadgrownpoorwithoutsustaininganyloss,because,whiletheysaweverythingchangearoundthem,theyremainedstillthesame,wereobligedtoreceivetheirsubsistence,orstealit,fromtherich;andthissoonbred,accordingtotheirdifferentcharacters,dominionandslavery,orviolenceandrapine。Thewealthy,ontheirpart,hadnosoonerbeguntotastethepleasureofcommand,thantheydisdainedallothers,and,usingtheiroldslavestoacquirenew,thoughtofnothingbutsubduingandenslavingtheirneighbours;likeravenouswolves,which,havingoncetastedhumanflesh,despiseeveryotherfoodandthenceforthseekonlymentodevour。
  Thus,asthemostpowerfulorthemostmiserableconsideredtheirmightormiseryasakindofrighttothepossessionsofothers,equivalent,intheiropinion,tothatofproperty,thedestructionofequalitywasattendedbythemostterribledisorders。Usurpationsbytherich,robberybythepoor,andtheunbridledpassionsofboth,suppressedthecriesofnaturalcompassionandthestillfeeblevoiceofjustice,andfilledmenwithavarice,ambitionandvice。Betweenthetitleofthestrongestandthatofthefirstoccupier,therearoseperpetualconflicts,whichneverendedbutinbattlesandbloodshed。Thenew-bornstateofsocietythusgaverisetoahorriblestateofwar;menthusharassedanddepravedwerenolongercapableofretracingtheirstepsorrenouncingthefatalacquisitionstheyhadmade,but,labouringbytheabuseofthefacultieswhichdothemhonour,merelytotheirownconfusion,broughtthemselvestothebrinkofruin。
  Attonitusnovitatemali,divesquemiserque,Effugereoptatopes;etquæmodovoveratodit。5Itisimpossiblethatmenshouldnotatlengthhavereflectedonsowretchedasituation,andonthecalamitiesthatoverwhelmedthem。Therich,inparticular,musthavefelthowmuchtheysufferedbyaconstantstateofwar,ofwhichtheyborealltheexpense;andinwhich,thoughallriskedtheirlives,theyaloneriskedtheirproperty。Besides,howeverspeciouslytheymightdisguisetheirusurpations,theyknewthattheywerefoundedonprecariousandfalsetitles;sothat,ifotherstookfromthembyforcewhattheythemselveshadgainedbyforce,theywouldhavenoreasontocomplain。Eventhosewhohadbeenenrichedbytheirownindustry,couldhardlybasetheirproprietorshiponbetterclaims。Itwasinvaintorepeat,"Ibuiltthiswell;Igainedthisspotbymyindustry。"Whogaveyouyourstanding,itmightbeanswered,andwhatrighthaveyoutodemandpaymentofusfordoingwhatweneveraskedyoutodo?Doyounotknowthatnumbersofyourfellow-creaturesarestarving,forwantofwhatyouhavetoomuchof?Yououghttohavehadtheexpressanduniversalconsentofmankind,beforeappropriatingmoreofthecommonsubsistencethanyouneededforyourownmaintenance。Destituteofvalidreasonstojustifyandsufficientstrengthtodefendhimself,abletocrushindividualswithease,buteasilycrushedhimselfbyatroopofbandits,oneagainstall,andincapable,onaccountofmutualjealousy,ofjoiningwithhisequalsagainstnumerousenemiesunitedbythecommonhopeofplunder,therichman,thusurgedbynecessity,conceivedatlengththeprofoundestplanthateverenteredthemindofman:thiswastoemployinhisfavourtheforcesofthosewhoattackedhim,tomakealliesofhisadversaries,toinspirethemwithdifferentmaxims,andtogivethemotherinstitutionsasfavourabletohimselfasthelawofnaturewasunfavourable。
  Withthisview,afterhavingrepresentedtohisneighboursthehorrorofasituationwhicharmedeverymanagainsttherest,andmadetheirpossessionsasburdensometothemastheirwants,andinwhichnosafetycouldbeexpectedeitherinrichesorinpoverty,hereadilydevisedplausibleargumentstomakethemclosewithhisdesign。"Letusjoin,"saidhe,"toguardtheweakfromoppression,torestraintheambitious,andsecuretoeverymanthepossessionofwhatbelongstohim:letusinstituterulesofjusticeandpeace,towhichallwithoutexceptionmaybeobligedtoconform;rulesthatmayinsomemeasuremakeamendsforthecapricesoffortune,bysubjectingequallythepowerfulandtheweaktotheobservanceofreciprocalobligations。
  Letus,inaword,insteadofturningourforcesagainstourselves,collecttheminasupremepowerwhichmaygovernusbywiselaws,protectanddefendallthemembersoftheassociation,repulsetheircommonenemies,andmaintaineternalharmonyamongus。"
  Farfewerwordstothispurposewouldhavebeenenoughtoimposeonmensobarbarousandeasilyseduced;especiallyastheyhadtoomanydisputesamongthemselvestodowithoutarbitrators,andtoomuchambitionandavaricetogolongwithoutmasters。Allranheadlongtotheirchains,inhopesofsecuringtheirliberty;fortheyhadjustwitenoughtoperceivetheadvantagesofpoliticalinstitutions,withoutexperienceenoughtoenablethemtoforeseethedangers。Themostcapableofforeseeingthedangersweretheverypersonswhoexpectedtobenefitbythem;andeventhemostprudentjudgeditnotinexpedienttosacrificeonepartoftheirfreedomtoensuretherest;asawoundedmanhashisarmcutofftosavetherestofhisbody。
  Suchwas,ormaywellhavebeen,theoriginofsocietyandlaw,whichboundnewfettersonthepoor,andgavenewpowerstotherich;whichirretrievablydestroyednaturalliberty,eternallyfixedthelawofpropertyandinequality,convertedcleverusurpationintounalterableright,and,fortheadvantageofafewambitiousindividuals,subjectedallmankindtoperpetuallabour,slaveryandwretchedness。Itiseasytoseehowtheestablishmentofonecommunitymadethatofalltherestnecessary,andhow,inordertomakeheadagainstunitedforces,therestofmankindhadtouniteinturn。Societiessoonmultipliedandspreadoverthefaceoftheearth,tillhardlyacorneroftheworldwasleftinwhichamancouldescapetheyoke,andwithdrawhisheadfrombeneaththeswordwhichhesawperpetuallyhangingoverhimbyathread。Civilrighthavingthusbecomethecommonruleamongthemembersofeachcommunity,thelawofnaturemaintaineditsplaceonlybetweendifferentcommunities,where,underthenameoftherightofnations,itwasqualifiedbycertaintacitconventions,inordertomakecommercepracticable,andserveasasubstitutefornaturalcompassion,whichlost,whenappliedtosocieties,almostalltheinfluenceithadoverindividuals,andsurvivednolongerexceptinsomegreatcosmopolitanspirits,who,breakingdowntheimaginarybarriersthatseparatedifferentpeoples,followtheexampleofourSovereignCreator,andincludethewholehumanraceintheirbenevolence。
  Butbodiespolitic,remainingthusinastateofnatureamongthemselves,presentlyexperiencedtheinconvenienceswhichhadobligedindividualstoforsakeit;forthisstatebecamestillmorefataltothesegreatbodiesthanithadbeentotheindividualsofwhomtheywerecomposed。Hencearosenationalwars,battles,murders,andreprisals,whichshocknatureandoutragereason;togetherwithallthosehorribleprejudiceswhichclassamongthevirtuesthehonourofsheddinghumanblood。Themostdistinguishedmenhencelearnedtoconsidercuttingeachother’sthroatsaduty;atlengthmenmassacredtheirfellow-creaturesbythousandswithoutsomuchasknowingwhy,andcommittedmoremurdersinasingleday’sfighting,andmoreviolentoutragesinthesackofasingletown,thanwerecommittedinthestateofnatureduringwholeagesoverthewholeearth。Suchwerethefirsteffectswhichwecanseetohavefollowedthedivisionofmankindintodifferentcommunities。Butletusreturntotheirinstitutions。
  Iknowthatsomewritershavegivenotherexplanationsoftheoriginofpoliticalsocieties,suchastheconquestofthepowerful,ortheassociationoftheweak。Itis,indeed,indifferenttomyargumentwhichofthesecauseswechoose。ThatwhichIhavejustlaiddown,however,appearstomethemostnaturalforthefollowingreasons。First:because,inthefirstcase,therightofconquest,beingnorightinitself,couldnotserveasafoundationonwhichtobuildanyother;thevictorandthevanquishedpeoplestillremainedwithrespecttoeachotherinthestateofwar,unlessthevanquished,restoredtothefullpossessionoftheirliberty,voluntarilymadechoiceofthevictorfortheirchief。Fortillthen,whatevercapitulationmayhavebeenmadebeingfoundedonviolence,andthereforeipsofactovoid,therecouldnothavebeenonthishypothesiseitherarealsocietyorbodypolitic,oranylawotherthanthatofthestrongest。Secondly:
  becausethewordsstrongandweakare,inthesecondcase,ambiguous;forduringtheintervalbetweentheestablishmentofarightofproperty,orprioroccupancy,andthatofpoliticalgovernment,themeaningofthesewordsisbetterexpressedbythetermsrichandpoor:because,infact,beforetheinstitutionoflaws,menhadnootherwayofreducingtheirequalstosubmission,thanbyattackingtheirgoods,ormakingsomeoftheirownovertothem。Thirdly:because,asthepoorhadnothingbuttheirfreedomtolose,itwouldhavebeeninthehighestdegreeabsurdforthemtoresignvoluntarilytheonlygoodtheystillenjoyed,withoutgettinganythinginexchange:whereastherichhavingfeelings,ifImaysoexpressmyself,ineverypartoftheirpossessions,itwasmucheasiertoharmthem,andthereforemorenecessaryforthemtotakeprecautionsagainstit;and,inshort,becauseitismorereasonabletosupposeathingtohavebeeninventedbythosetowhomitwouldbeofservice,thanbythosewhomitmusthaveharmed。
  Governmenthad,initsinfancy,noregularandconstantform。Thewantofexperienceandphilosophypreventedmenfromseeinganybutpresentinconveniences,andtheythoughtofprovidingagainstothersonlyastheypresentedthemselves。Inspiteoftheendeavoursofthewisestlegislators,thepoliticalstateremainedimperfect,becauseitwaslittlemorethantheworkofchance;and,asithadbegunill,thoughtimerevealeditsdefectsandsuggestedremedies,theoriginalfaultswereneverrepaired。
  Itwascontinuallybeingpatchedup,whenthefirsttaskshouldhavebeentogetthesiteclearedandalltheoldmaterialsremoved,aswasdonebyLycurgusatSparta,ifastableandlastingedificewastobeerected。