ChapterI
OfPoliticalPower1。Ithavingbeenshownintheforegoingdiscourse:*
*AnEssayConcerningCertainFalsePrinciples。
Firstly。ThatAdamhadnot,eitherbynaturalrightoffatherhoodorbypositivedonationfromGod,anysuchauthorityoverhischildren,nordominionovertheworld,asispretended。
Secondly。Thatifhehad,hisheirsyethadnorighttoit。
Thirdly。Thatifhisheirshad,therebeingnolawofNaturenorpositivelawofGodthatdetermineswhichistherightheirinallcasesthatmayarise,therightofsuccession,andconsequentlyofbearingrule,couldnothavebeencertainlydetermined。
Fourthly。Thatifeventhathadbeendetermined,yettheknowledgeofwhichistheeldestlineofAdam’sposteritybeingsolongsinceutterlylost,thatintheracesofmankindandfamiliesoftheworld,thereremainsnottooneaboveanothertheleastpretencetobetheeldesthouse,andtohavetherightofinheritance。
Allthesepromiseshaving,asIthink,beenclearlymadeout,itisimpossiblethattherulersnowonearthshouldmakeanybenefit,orderiveanytheleastshadowofauthorityfromthatwhichisheldtobethefountainofallpower,"Adam’sprivatedominionandpaternaljurisdiction";sothathethatwillnotgivejustoccasiontothinkthatallgovernmentintheworldistheproductonlyofforceandviolence,andthatmenlivetogetherbynootherrulesbutthatofbeasts,wherethestrongestcarriesit,andsolayafoundationforperpetualdisorderandmischief,tumult,sedition,andrebellion(thingsthatthefollowersofthathypothesissoloudlycryoutagainst),mustofnecessityfindoutanotherriseofgovernment,anotheroriginalofpoliticalpower,andanotherwayofdesigningandknowingthepersonsthathaveitthanwhatSirRobertFilmerhathtaughtus。
2。Tothispurpose,IthinkitmaynotbeamisstosetdownwhatI
taketobepoliticalpower。Thatthepowerofamagistrateoverasubjectmaybedistinguishedfromthatofafatheroverhischildren,amasteroverhisservant,ahusbandoverhiswife,andalordoverhisslave。Allwhichdistinctpowershappeningsometimestogetherinthesameman,ifhebeconsideredunderthesedifferentrelations,itmayhelpustodistinguishthesepowersonefromanother,andshowthedifferencebetwixtarulerofacommonwealth,afatherofafamily,andacaptainofagalley。
3。Politicalpower,then,Itaketobearightofmakinglaws,withpenaltiesofdeath,andconsequentlyalllesspenaltiesfortheregulatingandpreservingofproperty,andofemployingtheforceofthecommunityintheexecutionofsuchlaws,andinthedefenceofthecommonwealthfromforeigninjury,andallthisonlyforthepublicgood。
ChapterII
OftheStateofNature4。Tounderstandpoliticalpoweraright,andderiveitfromitsoriginal,wemustconsiderwhatestateallmenarenaturallyin,andthatis,astateofperfectfreedomtoordertheiractions,anddisposeoftheirpossessionsandpersonsastheythinkfit,withintheboundsofthelawofNature,withoutaskingleaveordependinguponthewillofanyotherman。
Astatealsoofequality,whereinallthepowerandjurisdictionisreciprocal,noonehavingmorethananother,therebeingnothingmoreevidentthanthatcreaturesofthesamespeciesandrank,promiscuouslyborntoallthesameadvantagesofNature,andtheuseofthesamefaculties,shouldalsobeequaloneamongstanother,withoutsubordinationorsubjection,unlessthelordandmasterofthemallshould,byanymanifestdeclarationofhiswill,setoneaboveanother,andconferonhim,byanevidentandclearappointment,anundoubtedrighttodominionandsovereignty。
5。ThisequalityofmenbyNature,thejudiciousHookerlooksuponassoevidentinitself,andbeyondallquestion,thathemakesitthefoundationofthatobligationtomutualloveamongstmenonwhichhebuildsthedutiestheyoweoneanother,andfromwhencehederivesthegreatmaximsofjusticeandcharity。Hiswordsare:
"Thelikenaturalinducementhathbroughtmentoknowthatitisnolesstheirdutytoloveothersthanthemselves,forseeingthosethingswhichareequal,mustneedsallhaveonemeasure;ifIcannotbutwishtoreceivegood,evenasmuchateveryman’shands,asanymancanwishuntohisownsoul,howshouldIlooktohaveanypartofmydesirehereinsatisfied,unlessmyselfbecarefultosatisfythelikedesire,whichisundoubtedlyinothermenweak,beingofoneandthesamenature:tohaveanythingofferedthemrepugnanttothisdesiremustneeds,inallrespects,grievethemasmuchasme;sothatifIdoharm,Imustlooktosuffer,therebeingnoreasonthatothersshouldshowgreatermeasureoflovetomethantheyhavebymeshoweduntothem;mydesire,therefore,tobelovedofmyequalsinNature,asmuchaspossiblemaybe,imposethuponmeanaturaldutyofbearingtothemwardfullythelikeaffection。Fromwhichrelationofequalitybetweenourselvesandthemthatareasourselves,whatseveralrulesandcanonsnaturalreasonhathdrawnfordirectionoflifenomanisignorant。"(Eccl。Pol。i。)*
*RichardHooker,TheLawsofEcclesiasticalPolity。
6。Butthoughthisbeastateofliberty,yetitisnotastateoflicence;thoughmaninthatstatehaveanuncontrollablelibertytodisposeofhispersonorpossessions,yethehasnotlibertytodestroyhimself,orsomuchasanycreatureinhispossession,butwheresomenoblerusethanitsbarepreservationcallsforit。ThestateofNaturehasalawofNaturetogovernit,whichobligeseveryone,andreason,whichisthatlaw,teachesallmankindwhowillbutconsultit,thatbeingallequalandindependent,nooneoughttoharmanotherinhislife,health,libertyorpossessions;formenbeingalltheworkmanshipofoneomnipotentandinfinitelywiseMaker;
alltheservantsofonesovereignMaster,sentintotheworldbyHisorderandaboutHisbusiness;theyareHisproperty,whoseworkmanshiptheyaremadetolastduringHis,notoneanother’spleasure。And,beingfurnishedwithlikefaculties,sharingallinonecommunityofNature,therecannotbesupposedanysuchsubordinationamongusthatmayauthoriseustodestroyoneanother,asifweweremadeforoneanother’suses,astheinferiorranksofcreaturesareforours。
Everyoneasheisboundtopreservehimself,andnottoquithisstationwilfully,sobythelikereason,whenhisownpreservationcomesnotincompetition,oughtheasmuchashecantopreservetherestofmankind,andnotunlessitbetodojusticeonanoffender,takeawayorimpairthelife,orwhattendstothepreservationofthelife,theliberty,health,limb,orgoodsofanother。
7。Andthatallmenmayberestrainedfrominvadingothers’
rights,andfromdoinghurttooneanother,andthelawofNaturebeobserved,whichwilleththepeaceandpreservationofallmankind,theexecutionofthelawofNatureisinthatstateputintoeveryman’shands,wherebyeveryonehasarighttopunishthetransgressorsofthatlawtosuchadegreeasmayhinderitsviolation。ForthelawofNaturewould,asallotherlawsthatconcernmeninthisworld,beinvainiftherewerenobodythatinthestateofNaturehadapowertoexecutethatlaw,andtherebypreservetheinnocentandrestrainoffenders;andifanyoneinthestateofNaturemaypunishanotherforanyevilhehasdone,everyonemaydoso。Forinthatstateofperfectequality,wherenaturallythereisnosuperiorityorjurisdictionofoneoveranother,whatanymaydoinprosecutionofthatlaw,everyonemustneedshavearighttodo。
8。Andthus,inthestateofNature,onemancomesbyapoweroveranother,butyetnoabsoluteorarbitrarypowertouseacriminal,whenhehasgothiminhishands,accordingtothepassionateheatsorboundlessextravagancyofhisownwill,butonlytoretributetohimsofarascalmreasonandconsciencedictate,whatisproportionatetohistransgression,whichissomuchasmayserveforreparationandrestraint。Forthesetwoaretheonlyreasonswhyonemanmaylawfullydoharmtoanother,whichisthatwecallpunishment。IntransgressingthelawofNature,theoffenderdeclareshimselftolivebyanotherrulethanthatofreasonandcommonequity,whichisthatmeasureGodhassettotheactionsofmenfortheirmutualsecurity,andsohebecomesdangeroustomankind;thetiewhichistosecurethemfrominjuryandviolencebeingslightedandbrokenbyhim,whichbeingatrespassagainstthewholespecies,andthepeaceandsafetyofit,providedforbythelawofNature,everymanuponthisscore,bytherighthehathtopreservemankindingeneral,mayrestrain,orwhereitisnecessary,destroythingsnoxioustothem,andsomaybringsuchevilonanyonewhohathtransgressedthatlaw,asmaymakehimrepentthedoingofit,andtherebydeterhim,and,byhisexample,othersfromdoingthelikemischief。Andinthiscase,anduponthisground,everymanhatharighttopunishtheoffender,andbeexecutionerofthelawofNature。
9。Idoubtnotbutthiswillseemaverystrangedoctrinetosomemen;butbeforetheycondemnit,Idesirethemtoresolvemebywhatrightanyprinceorstatecanputtodeathorpunishanalienforanycrimehecommitsintheircountry?Itiscertaintheirlaws,byvirtueofanysanctiontheyreceivefromthepromulgatedwillofthelegislature,reachnotastranger。Theyspeaknottohim,nor,iftheydid,isheboundtohearkentothem。Thelegislativeauthoritybywhichtheyareinforceoverthesubjectsofthatcommonwealthhathnopoweroverhim。ThosewhohavethesupremepowerofmakinglawsinEngland,France,orHollandare,toanIndian,butliketherestoftheworld-menwithoutauthority。Andtherefore,ifbythelawofNatureeverymanhathnotapowertopunishoffencesagainstit,ashesoberlyjudgesthecasetorequire,Iseenothowthemagistratesofanycommunitycanpunishanalienofanothercountry,since,inreferencetohim,theycanhavenomorepowerthanwhateverymannaturallymayhaveoveranother。
10。Besidesthecrimewhichconsistsinviolatingthelaws,andvaryingfromtherightruleofreason,wherebyamansofarbecomesdegenerate,anddeclareshimselftoquittheprinciplesofhumannatureandtobeanoxiouscreature,thereiscommonlyinjurydone,andsomepersonorother,someotherman,receivesdamagebyhistransgression;inwhichcase,hewhohathreceivedanydamagehas(besidestherightofpunishmentcommontohim,withothermen)aparticularrighttoseekreparationfromhimthathathdoneit。Andanyotherpersonwhofindsitjustmayalsojoinwithhimthatisinjured,andassisthiminrecoveringfromtheoffendersomuchasmaymakesatisfactionfortheharmhehathsuffered。
11。Fromthesetwodistinctrights(theoneofpunishingthecrime,forrestraintandpreventingthelikeoffence,whichrightofpunishingisineverybody,theotheroftakingreparation,whichbelongsonlytotheinjuredparty)comesittopassthatthemagistrate,whobybeingmagistratehaththecommonrightofpunishingputintohishands,canoften,wherethepublicgooddemandsnottheexecutionofthelaw,remitthepunishmentofcriminaloffencesbyhisownauthority,butyetcannotremitthesatisfactionduetoanyprivatemanforthedamagehehasreceived。Thathewhohathsufferedthedamagehasarighttodemandinhisownname,andhealonecanremit。Thedamnifiedpersonhasthispowerofappropriatingtohimselfthegoodsorserviceoftheoffenderbyrightofself-preservation,aseverymanhasapowertopunishthecrimetopreventitsbeingcommittedagain,bytherighthehasofpreservingallmankind,anddoingallreasonablethingshecaninordertothatend。AndthusitisthateverymaninthestateofNaturehasapowertokillamurderer,bothtodeterothersfromdoingthelikeinjury(whichnoreparationcancompensate)bytheexampleofthepunishmentthatattendsitfromeverybody,andalsotosecuremenfromtheattemptsofacriminalwho,havingrenouncedreason,thecommonruleandmeasureGodhathgiventomankind,hath,bytheunjustviolenceandslaughterhehathcommitteduponone,declaredwaragainstallmankind,andthereforemaybedestroyedasalionoratiger,oneofthosewildsavagebeastswithwhommencanhavenosocietynorsecurity。Anduponthisisgroundedthatgreatlawofnature,"Whososheddethman’sblood,bymanshallhisbloodbeshed。"AndCainwassofullyconvincedthateveryonehadarighttodestroysuchacriminal,that,afterthemurderofhisbrother,hecriesout,"Everyonethatfindethmeshallslayme,"soplainwasitwritintheheartsofallmankind。
12。BythesamereasonmayamaninthestateofNaturepunishthelesserbreachesofthatlaw,itwill,perhaps,bedemanded,withdeath?Ianswer:Eachtransgressionmaybepunishedtothatdegree,andwithsomuchseverity,aswillsufficetomakeitanillbargaintotheoffender,givehimcausetorepent,andterrifyothersfromdoingthelike。EveryoffencethatcanbecommittedinthestateofNaturemay,inthestateofNature,bealsopunishedequally,andasfarforth,asitmay,inacommonwealth。ForthoughitwouldbebesidemypresentpurposetoenterhereintotheparticularsofthelawofNature,oritsmeasuresofpunishment,yetitiscertainthereissuchalaw,andthattooasintelligibleandplaintoarationalcreatureandastudierofthatlawasthepositivelawsofcommonwealths,nay,possiblyplainer;asmuchasreasoniseasiertobeunderstoodthanthefanciesandintricatecontrivancesofmen,followingcontraryandhiddeninterestsputintowords;fortrulysoareagreatpartofthemunicipallawsofcountries,whichareonlysofarrightastheyarefoundedonthelawofNature,bywhichtheyaretoberegulatedandinterpreted。
13。Tothisstrangedoctrine-viz。,ThatinthestateofNatureeveryonehastheexecutivepowerofthelawofNature-Idoubtnotbutitwillbeobjectedthatitisunreasonableformentobejudgesintheirowncases,thatself-lovewillmakemenpartialtothemselvesandtheirfriends;and,ontheotherside,ill-nature,passion,andrevengewillcarrythemtoofarinpunishingothers,andhencenothingbutconfusionanddisorderwillfollow,andthatthereforeGodhathcertainlyappointedgovernmenttorestrainthepartialityandviolenceofmen。IeasilygrantthatcivilgovernmentistheproperremedyfortheinconveniencesofthestateofNature,whichmustcertainlybegreatwheremenmaybejudgesintheirowncase,sinceitiseasytobeimaginedthathewhowassounjustastodohisbrotheraninjurywillscarcebesojustastocondemnhimselfforit。ButIshalldesirethosewhomakethisobjectiontorememberthatabsolutemonarchsarebutmen;andifgovernmentistobetheremedyofthoseevilswhichnecessarilyfollowfrommenbeingjudgesintheirowncases,andthestateofNatureisthereforenottobeendured,I
desiretoknowwhatkindofgovernmentthatis,andhowmuchbetteritisthanthestateofNature,whereonemancommandingamultitudehasthelibertytobejudgeinhisowncase,andmaydotoallhissubjectswhateverhepleaseswithouttheleastquestionorcontrolofthosewhoexecutehispleasure?andinwhatsoeverhedoth,whetherledbyreason,mistake,orpassion,mustbesubmittedto?
whichmeninthestateofNaturearenotboundtodoonetoanother。
Andifhethatjudges,judgesamissinhisownoranyothercase,heisanswerableforittotherestofmankind。
14。Itisoftenaskedasamightyobjection,whereare,oreverwere,thereanymeninsuchastateofNature?Towhichitmaysufficeasanansweratpresent,thatsinceallprincesandrulersof"independent"governmentsallthroughtheworldareinastateofNature,itisplaintheworldneverwas,norneverwillbe,withoutnumbersofmeninthatstate。Ihavenamedallgovernorsof"independent"communities,whethertheyare,orarenot,inleaguewithothers;foritisnoteverycompactthatputsanendtothestateofNaturebetweenmen,butonlythisoneofagreeingtogethermutuallytoenterintoonecommunity,andmakeonebodypolitic;otherpromisesandcompactsmenmaymakeonewithanother,andyetstillbeinthestateofNature。Thepromisesandbargainsfortruck,etc。,betweenthetwomeninSoldania,inorbetweenaSwissandanIndian,inthewoodsofAmerica,arebindingtothem,thoughtheyareperfectlyinastateofNatureinreferencetooneanotherfortruth,andkeepingoffaithbelongstomenasmen,andnotasmembersofsociety。
15。TothosethatsaytherewereneveranymeninthestateofNature,IwillnotopposetheauthorityofthejudiciousHooker(Eccl。
Pol。i。10),wherehesays,"thelawswhichhavebeenhithertomentioned"-i。e。,thelawsofNature-"dobindmenabsolutely,evenastheyaremen,althoughtheyhaveneveranysettledfellowship,neveranysolemnagreementamongstthemselveswhattodoornottodo;butforasmuchaswearenotbyourselvessufficienttofurnishourselveswithcompetentstoreofthingsneedfulforsuchalifeasourNaturedothdesire,alifefitforthedignityofman,thereforetosupplythosedefectsandimperfectionswhichareinus,aslivingsingleandsolelybyourselves,wearenaturallyinducedtoseekcommunionandfellowshipwithothers;thiswasthecauseofmenunitingthemselvesasfirstinpoliticsocieties。"ButI,moreover,affirmthatallmenarenaturallyinthatstate,andremainsotill,bytheirownconsents,theymakethemselvesmembersofsomepoliticsociety,andIdoubtnot,inthesequelofthisdiscourse,tomakeitveryclear。
ChapterIII
OftheStateofWar16。Thestateofwarisastateofenmityanddestruction;andthereforedeclaringbywordoraction,notapassionateandhasty,butsedate,settleddesignuponanotherman’slifeputshiminastateofwarwithhimagainstwhomhehasdeclaredsuchanintention,andsohasexposedhislifetotheother’spowertobetakenawaybyhim,oranyonethatjoinswithhiminhisdefence,andespouseshisquarrel;itbeingreasonableandjustIshouldhavearighttodestroythatwhichthreatensmewithdestruction;forbythefundamentallawofNature,manbeingtobepreservedasmuchaspossible,whenallcannotbepreserved,thesafetyoftheinnocentistobepreferred,andonemaydestroyamanwhomakeswaruponhim,orhasdiscoveredanenmitytohisbeing,forthesamereasonthathemaykillawolforalion,becausetheyarenotunderthetiesofthecommonlawofreason,havenootherrulebutthatofforceandviolence,andsomaybetreatedasabeastofprey,thosedangerousandnoxiouscreaturesthatwillbesuretodestroyhimwheneverhefallsintotheirpower。
17。Andhenceitisthathewhoattemptstogetanothermanintohisabsolutepowerdoestherebyputhimselfintoastateofwarwithhim;itbeingtobeunderstoodasadeclarationofadesignuponhislife。ForIhavereasontoconcludethathewhowouldgetmeintohispowerwithoutmyconsentwouldusemeashepleasedwhenhehadgotmethere,anddestroymetoowhenhehadafancytoit;fornobodycandesiretohavemeinhisabsolutepowerunlessitbetocompelmebyforcetothatwhichisagainsttherightofmyfreedom-i。e。
makemeaslave。Tobefreefromsuchforceistheonlysecurityofmypreservation,andreasonbidsmelookonhimasanenemytomypreservationwhowouldtakeawaythatfreedomwhichisthefencetoit;sothathewhomakesanattempttoenslavemetherebyputshimselfintoastateofwarwithme。HethatinthestateofNaturewouldtakeawaythefreedomthatbelongstoanyoneinthatstatemustnecessarilybesupposedtohaveadesigntotakeawayeverythingelse,thatfreedombeingthefoundationofalltherest;ashethatinthestateofsocietywouldtakeawaythefreedombelongingtothoseofthatsocietyorcommonwealthmustbesupposedtodesigntotakeawayfromthemeverythingelse,andsobelookedonasinastateofwar。
18。Thismakesitlawfulforamantokillathiefwhohasnotintheleasthurthim,nordeclaredanydesignuponhislife,anyfartherthanbytheuseofforce,sotogethiminhispowerastotakeawayhismoney,orwhathepleases,fromhim;becauseusingforce,wherehehasnorighttogetmeintohispower,lethispretencebewhatitwill,Ihavenoreasontosupposethathewhowouldtakeawaymylibertywouldnot,whenhehadmeinhispower,takeawayeverythingelse。And,therefore,itislawfulformetotreathimasonewhohasputhimselfintoastateofwarwithme-i。e。,killhimifI
can;fortothathazarddoeshejustlyexposehimselfwhoeverintroducesastateofwar,andisaggressorinit。
19。AndherewehavetheplaindifferencebetweenthestateofNatureandthestateofwar,whichhoweversomemenhaveconfounded,areasfardistantasastateofpeace,goodwill,mutualassistance,andpreservation;andastateofenmity,malice,violenceandmutualdestructionareonefromanother。Menlivingtogetheraccordingtoreasonwithoutacommonsuperioronearth,withauthoritytojudgebetweenthem,isproperlythestateofNature。Butforce,oradeclareddesignofforceuponthepersonofanother,wherethereisnocommonsuperioronearthtoappealtoforrelief,isthestateofwar;
anditisthewantofsuchanappealgivesamantherightofwarevenagainstanaggressor,thoughhebeinsocietyandafellow-subject。
Thus,athiefwhomIcannotharm,butbyappealtothelaw,forhavingstolenallthatIamworth,Imaykillwhenhesetsonmetorobmebutofmyhorseorcoat,becausethelaw,whichwasmadeformypreservation,whereitcannotinterposetosecuremylifefrompresentforce,whichiflostiscapableofnoreparation,permitsmemyowndefenceandtherightofwar,alibertytokilltheaggressor,becausetheaggressorallowsnottimetoappealtoourcommonjudge,northedecisionofthelaw,forremedyinacasewherethemischiefmaybeirreparable。WantofacommonjudgewithauthorityputsallmeninastateofNature;forcewithoutrightuponaman’spersonmakesastateofwarbothwherethereis,andisnot,acommonjudge。
20。Butwhentheactualforceisover,thestateofwarceasesbetweenthosethatareinsocietyandareequallyonbothsidessubjecttothejudge;and,therefore,insuchcontroversies,wherethequestionisput,"Whoshallbejudge?"itcannotbemeantwhoshalldecidethecontroversy;everyoneknowswhatJephthaheretellsus,that"theLordtheJudge"shalljudge。WherethereisnojudgeonearththeappealliestoGodinHeaven。Thatquestionthencannotmeanwhoshalljudge,whetheranotherhathputhimselfinastateofwarwithme,andwhetherImay,asJephthadid,appealtoHeaveninit?OfthatImyselfcanonlyjudgeinmyownconscience,asIwillansweritatthegreatdaytotheSupremeJudgeofallmen。
ChapterIV
OfSlavery21。Thenaturallibertyofmanistobefreefromanysuperiorpoweronearth,andnottobeunderthewillorlegislativeauthorityofman,buttohaveonlythelawofNatureforhisrule。Thelibertyofmaninsocietyistobeundernootherlegislativepowerbutthatestablishedbyconsentinthecommonwealth,norunderthedominionofanywill,orrestraintofanylaw,butwhatthatlegislativeshallenactaccordingtothetrustputinit。Freedom,then,isnotwhatSirRobertFilmertellsus:"Alibertyforeveryonetodowhathelists,toliveashepleases,andnottobetiedbyanylaws";
butfreedomofmenundergovernmentistohaveastandingruletoliveby,commontoeveryoneofthatsociety,andmadebythelegislativepowererectedinit。Alibertytofollowmyownwillinallthingswherethatruleprescribesnot,nottobesubjecttotheinconstant,uncertain,unknown,arbitrarywillofanotherman,asfreedomofnatureistobeundernootherrestraintbutthelawofNature。
22。Thisfreedomfromabsolute,arbitrarypowerissonecessaryto,andcloselyjoinedwith,aman’spreservation,thathecannotpartwithitbutbywhatforfeitshispreservationandlifetogether。Foraman,nothavingthepowerofhisownlife,cannotbycompactorhisownconsentenslavehimselftoanyone,norputhimselfundertheabsolute,arbitrarypowerofanothertotakeawayhislifewhenhepleases。Nobodycangivemorepowerthanhehashimself,andhethatcannottakeawayhisownlifecannotgiveanotherpoweroverit。
Indeed,havingbyhisfaultforfeitedhisownlifebysomeactthatdeservesdeath,hetowhomhehasforfeiteditmay,whenhehashiminhispower,delaytotakeit,andmakeuseofhimtohisownservice;
andhedoeshimnoinjurybyit。For,wheneverhefindsthehardshipofhisslaveryoutweighthevalueofhislife,itisinhispower,byresistingthewillofhismaster,todrawonhimselfthedeathhedesires。
23。Thisistheperfectconditionofslavery,whichisnothingelsebutthestateofwarcontinuedbetweenalawfulconquerorandacaptive,forifoncecompactenterbetweenthem,andmakeanagreementforalimitedpowerontheoneside,andobedienceontheother,thestateofwarandslaveryceasesaslongasthecompactendures;for,ashasbeensaid,nomancanbyagreementpassovertoanotherthatwhichhehathnotinhimself-apoweroverhisownlife。
Iconfess,wefindamongtheJews,aswellasothernations,thatmendidsellthemselves;butitisplainthiswasonlytodrudgery,nottoslavery;foritisevidentthepersonsoldwasnotunderanabsolute,arbitrary,despoticalpower,forthemastercouldnothavepowertokillhimatanytime,whomatacertaintimehewasobligedtoletgofreeoutofhisservice;andthemasterofsuchaservantwassofarfromhavinganarbitrarypoweroverhislifethathecouldnotatpleasuresomuchasmaimhim,butthelossofaneyeortoothsethimfree(Exod。21。)。
ChapterV
OfProperty24。Whetherweconsidernaturalreason,whichtellsusthatmen,beingonceborn,havearighttotheirpreservation,andconsequentlytomeatanddrinkandsuchotherthingsasNatureaffordsfortheirsubsistence,or"revelation,"whichgivesusanaccountofthosegrantsGodmadeoftheworldtoAdam,andtoNoahandhissons,itisveryclearthatGod,asKingDavidsays(Psalm115。16),"hasgiventheearthtothechildrenofmen,"givenittomankindincommon。But,thisbeingsupposed,itseemstosomeaverygreatdifficultyhowanyoneshouldevercometohaveapropertyinanything,Iwillnotcontentmyselftoanswer,that,ifitbedifficulttomakeout"property"uponasuppositionthatGodgavetheworldtoAdamandhisposterityincommon,itisimpossiblethatanymanbutoneuniversalmonarchshouldhaveany"property"uponasuppositionthatGodgavetheworldtoAdamandhisheirsinsuccession,exclusiveofalltherestofhisposterity;butIshallendeavourtoshowhowmenmightcometohaveapropertyinseveralpartsofthatwhichGodgavetomankindincommon,andthatwithoutanyexpresscompactofallthecommoners。
25。God,whohathgiventheworldtomenincommon,hathalsogiventhemreasontomakeuseofittothebestadvantageoflifeandconvenience。Theearthandallthatisthereinisgiventomenforthesupportandcomfortoftheirbeing。Andthoughallthefruitsitnaturallyproduces,andbeastsitfeeds,belongtomankindincommon,astheyareproducedbythespontaneoushandofNature,andnobodyhasoriginallyaprivatedominionexclusiveoftherestofmankindinanyofthem,astheyarethusintheirnaturalstate,yetbeinggivenfortheuseofmen,theremustofnecessitybeameanstoappropriatethemsomewayorotherbeforetheycanbeofanyuse,oratallbeneficial,toanyparticularmen。ThefruitorvenisonwhichnourishesthewildIndian,whoknowsnoenclosure,andisstillatenantincommon,mustbehis,andsohis-i。e。,apartofhim,thatanothercannolongerhaveanyrighttoitbeforeitcandohimanygoodforthesupportofhislife。
26。Thoughtheearthandallinferiorcreaturesbecommontoallmen,yeteverymanhasa"property"inhisown"person。"Thisnobodyhasanyrighttobuthimself。The"labour"ofhisbodyandthe"work"ofhishands,wemaysay,areproperlyhis。Whatsoever,then,heremovesoutofthestatethatNaturehathprovidedandleftitin,hehathmixedhislabourwithit,andjoinedtoitsomethingthatishisown,andtherebymakesithisproperty。ItbeingbyhimremovedfromthecommonstateNatureplaceditin,ithathbythislaboursomethingannexedtoitthatexcludesthecommonrightofothermen。Forthis"labour"beingtheunquestionablepropertyofthelabourer,nomanbuthecanhavearighttowhatthatisoncejoinedto,atleastwherethereisenough,andasgoodleftincommonforothers。
27。Hethatisnourishedbytheacornshepickedupunderanoak,ortheappleshegatheredfromthetreesinthewood,hascertainlyappropriatedthemtohimself。Nobodycandenybutthenourishmentishis。Iask,then,whendidtheybegintobehis?whenhedigested?
orwhenheate?orwhenheboiled?orwhenhebroughtthemhome?orwhenhepickedthemup?Anditisplain,ifthefirstgatheringmadethemnothis,nothingelsecould。Thatlabourputadistinctionbetweenthemandcommon。ThataddedsomethingtothemmorethanNature,thecommonmotherofall,haddone,andsotheybecamehisprivateright。Andwillanyonesayhehadnorighttothoseacornsorappleshethusappropriatedbecausehehadnottheconsentofallmankindtomakethemhis?Wasitarobberythustoassumetohimselfwhatbelongedtoallincommon?Ifsuchaconsentasthatwasnecessary,manhadstarved,notwithstandingtheplentyGodhadgivenhim。Weseeincommons,whichremainsobycompact,thatitisthetakinganypartofwhatiscommon,andremovingitoutofthestateNatureleavesitin,whichbeginstheproperty,withoutwhichthecommonisofnouse。Andthetakingofthisorthatpartdoesnotdependontheexpressconsentofallthecommoners。Thus,thegrassmyhorsehasbit,theturfsmyservanthascut,andtheoreIhavediggedinanyplace,whereIhavearighttothemincommonwithothers,becomemypropertywithouttheassignationorconsentofanybody。
Thelabourthatwasmine,removingthemoutofthatcommonstatetheywerein,hathfixedmypropertyinthem。
28。Bymakinganexplicitconsentofeverycommonernecessarytoanyone’sappropriatingtohimselfanypartofwhatisgivenincommon。
Childrenorservantscouldnotcutthemeatwhichtheirfatherormasterhadprovidedforthemincommonwithoutassigningtoeveryonehispeculiarpart。Thoughthewaterrunninginthefountainbeeveryone’s,yetwhocandoubtbutthatinthepitcherishisonlywhodrewitout?HislabourhathtakenitoutofthehandsofNaturewhereitwascommon,andbelongedequallytoallherchildren,andhaththerebyappropriatedittohimself。
29。ThusthislawofreasonmakesthedeerthatIndian’swhohathkilledit;itisallowedtobehisgoodswhohathbestowedhislabouruponit,though,before,itwasthecommonrightofeveryone。Andamongstthosewhoarecountedthecivilisedpartofmankind,whohavemadeandmultipliedpositivelawstodetermineproperty,thisoriginallawofNatureforthebeginningofproperty,inwhatwasbeforecommon,stilltakesplace,andbyvirtuethereof,whatfishanyonecatchesintheocean,thatgreatandstillremainingcommonofmankind;orwhatamber-grisanyonetakesuphereisbythelabourthatremovesitoutofthatcommonstateNatureleftitin,madehispropertywhotakesthatpainsaboutit。Andevenamongstus,theharethatanyoneishuntingisthoughthiswhopursuesherduringthechase。Forbeingabeastthatisstilllookeduponascommon,andnoman’sprivatepossession,whoeverhasemployedsomuchlabouraboutanyofthatkindastofindandpursueherhastherebyremovedherfromthestateofNaturewhereinshewascommon,andhathbegunaproperty。
30。Itwill,perhaps,beobjectedtothis,thatifgatheringtheacornsorotherfruitsoftheearth,etc。,makesarighttothem,thenanyonemayengrossasmuchashewill。TowhichIanswer,Notso。ThesamelawofNaturethatdoesbythismeansgiveusproperty,doesalsoboundthatpropertytoo。"Godhasgivenusallthingsrichly。"Isthevoiceofreasonconfirmedbyinspiration?ButhowfarhasHegivenitus-"toenjoy"?Asmuchasanyonecanmakeuseoftoanyadvantageoflifebeforeitspoils,somuchhemaybyhislabourfixapropertyin。Whateverisbeyondthisismorethanhisshare,andbelongstoothers。NothingwasmadebyGodformantospoilordestroy。Andthusconsideringtheplentyofnaturalprovisionstherewasalongtimeintheworld,andthefewspenders,andtohowsmallapartofthatprovisiontheindustryofonemancouldextenditselfandengrossittotheprejudiceofothers,especiallykeepingwithintheboundssetbyreasonofwhatmightserveforhisuse,therecouldbethenlittleroomforquarrelsorcontentionsaboutpropertysoestablished。
31。Butthechiefmatterofpropertybeingnownotthefruitsoftheearthandthebeaststhatsubsistonit,buttheearthitself,asthatwhichtakesinandcarrieswithitalltherest,Ithinkitisplainthatpropertyinthattooisacquiredastheformer。Asmuchlandasamantills,plants,improves,cultivates,andcanusetheproductof,somuchishisproperty。Hebyhislabourdoes,asitwere,encloseitfromthecommon。Norwillitinvalidatehisrighttosayeverybodyelsehasanequaltitletoit,andthereforehecannotappropriate,hecannotenclose,withouttheconsentofallhisfellow-commoners,allmankind。God,whenHegavetheworldincommontoallmankind,commandedmanalsotolabour,andthepenuryofhisconditionrequireditofhim。Godandhisreasoncommandedhimtosubduetheearth-i。e。,improveitforthebenefitoflifeandthereinlayoutsomethinguponitthatwashisown,hislabour。Hethat,inobediencetothiscommandofGod,subdued,tilled,andsowedanypartofit,therebyannexedtoitsomethingthatwashisproperty,whichanotherhadnotitleto,norcouldwithoutinjurytakefromhim。
32。Norwasthisappropriationofanyparcelofland,byimprovingit,anyprejudicetoanyotherman,sincetherewasstillenoughandasgoodleft,andmorethantheyetunprovidedcoulduse。Sothat,ineffect,therewasneverthelessleftforothersbecauseofhisenclosureforhimself。Forhethatleavesasmuchasanothercanmakeuseofdoesasgoodastakenothingatall。Nobodycouldthinkhimselfinjuredbythedrinkingofanotherman,thoughhetookagooddraught,whohadawholeriverofthesamewaterlefthimtoquenchhisthirst。Andthecaseoflandandwater,wherethereisenoughofboth,isperfectlythesame。
33。Godgavetheworldtomenincommon,butsinceHegaveitthemfortheirbenefitandthegreatestconvenienciesoflifetheywerecapabletodrawfromit,itcannotbesupposedHemeantitshouldalwaysremaincommonanduncultivated。Hegaveittotheuseoftheindustriousandrational(andlabourwastobehistitletoit);nottothefancyorcovetousnessofthequarrelsomeandcontentious。Hethathadasgoodleftforhisimprovementaswasalreadytakenupneedednotcomplain,oughtnottomeddlewithwhatwasalreadyimprovedbyanother’slabour;ifhediditisplainhedesiredthebenefitofanother’spains,whichhehadnorightto,andnotthegroundwhichGodhadgivenhim,incommonwithothers,tolabouron,andwhereoftherewasasgoodleftasthatalreadypossessed,andmorethanheknewwhattodowith,orhisindustrycouldreachto。
34。Itistrue,inlandthatiscommoninEnglandoranyothercountry,wherethereareplentyofpeopleundergovernmentwhohavemoneyandcommerce,noonecanencloseorappropriateanypartwithouttheconsentofallhisfellow-commoners;becausethisisleftcommonbycompact-i。e。,bythelawoftheland,whichisnottobeviolated。
And,thoughitbecommoninrespectofsomemen,itisnotsotoallmankind,butisthejointproprietyofthiscountry,orthisparish。
Besides,theremainder,aftersuchenclosure,wouldnotbeasgoodtotherestofthecommonersasthewholewas,whentheycouldallmakeuseofthewhole;whereasinthebeginningandfirstpeoplingofthegreatcommonoftheworlditwasquiteotherwise。Thelawmanwasunderwasratherforappropriating。Godcommanded,andhiswantsforcedhimtolabour。Thatwashisproperty,whichcouldnotbetakenfromhimwhereverhehadfixedit。Andhencesubduingorcultivatingtheearthandhavingdominion,wesee,arejoinedtogether。Theonegavetitletotheother。SothatGod,bycommandingtosubdue,gaveauthoritysofartoappropriate。Andtheconditionofhumanlife,whichrequireslabourandmaterialstoworkon,necessarilyintroduceprivatepossessions。
35。ThemeasureofpropertyNaturewellset,bytheextentofmen’slabourandtheconveniencyoflife。Noman’slabourcouldsubdueorappropriateall,norcouldhisenjoymentconsumemorethanasmallpart;sothatitwasimpossibleforanyman,thisway,toentrenchupontherightofanotheroracquiretohimselfapropertytotheprejudiceofhisneighbour,whowouldstillhaveroomforasgoodandaslargeapossession(aftertheotherhadtakenouthis)
asbeforeitwasappropriated。Whichmeasuredidconfineeveryman’spossessiontoaverymoderateproportion,andsuchashemightappropriatetohimselfwithoutinjurytoanybodyinthefirstagesoftheworld,whenmenweremoreindangertobelost,bywanderingfromtheircompany,inthethenvastwildernessoftheearththantobestraitenedforwantofroomtoplantin。
36。Thesamemeasuremaybeallowedstill,withoutprejudicetoanybody,fullastheworldseems。For,supposingamanorfamily,inthestatetheywereatfirst,peoplingoftheworldbythechildrenofAdamorNoah,lethimplantinsomeinlandvacantplacesofAmerica。
Weshallfindthatthepossessionshecouldmakehimself,uponthemeasureswehavegiven,wouldnotbeverylarge,nor,eventothisday,prejudicetherestofmankindorgivethemreasontocomplainorthinkthemselvesinjuredbythisman’sencroachment,thoughtheraceofmenhavenowspreadthemselvestoallthecornersoftheworld,anddoinfinitelyexceedthesmallnumberwasatthebeginning。
Nay,theextentofgroundisofsolittlevaluewithoutlabourthatIhavehearditaffirmedthatinSpainitselfamanmaybepermittedtoplough,sow,andreap,withoutbeingdisturbed,uponlandhehasnoothertitleto,butonlyhismakinguseofit。But,onthecontrary,theinhabitantsthinkthemselvesbeholdentohimwho,byhisindustryonneglected,andconsequentlywasteland,hasincreasedthestockofcorn,whichtheywanted。Butbethisasitwill,whichIlaynostresson,thisIdareboldlyaffirm,thatthesameruleofpropriety-viz。,thateverymanshouldhaveasmuchashecouldmakeuseof,wouldholdstillintheworld,withoutstraiteninganybody,sincethereislandenoughintheworldtosufficedoubletheinhabitants,hadnottheinventionofmoney,andthetacitagreementofmentoputavalueonit,introduced(byconsent)largerpossessionsandarighttothem;which,howithasdone,Ishallbyandbyshowmoreatlarge。
37。Thisiscertain,thatinthebeginning,beforethedesireofhavingmorethanmenneededhadalteredtheintrinsicvalueofthings,whichdependsonlyontheirusefulnesstothelifeofman,orhadagreedthatalittlepieceofyellowmetal,whichwouldkeepwithoutwastingordecay,shouldbeworthagreatpieceoffleshorawholeheapofcorn,thoughmenhadarighttoappropriatebytheirlabour,eachonetohimself,asmuchofthethingsofNatureashecoulduse,yetthiscouldnotbemuch,nortotheprejudiceofothers,wherethesameplentywasstillleft,tothosewhowouldusethesameindustry。
Beforetheappropriationofland,hewhogatheredasmuchofthewildfruit,killed,caught,ortamedasmanyofthebeastsashecould-hethatsoemployedhispainsaboutanyofthespontaneousproductsofNatureasanywaytoalterthemfromthestateNatureputthemin,byplacinganyofhislabouronthem,didtherebyacquireaproprietyinthem;butiftheyperishedinhispossessionwithouttheirdueuse-ifthefruitsrottedorthevenisonputrefiedbeforehecouldspendit,heoffendedagainstthecommonlawofNature,andwasliabletobepunished:heinvadedhisneighbour’sshare,forhehadnorightfartherthanhisusecalledforanyofthem,andtheymightservetoaffordhimconvenienciesoflife。
38。Thesamemeasuresgovernedthepossessionofland,too。
Whatsoeverhetilledandreaped,laidupandmadeuseofbeforeitspoiled,thatwashispeculiarright;whatsoeverheenclosed,andcouldfeedandmakeuseof,thecattleandproductwasalsohis。Butifeitherthegrassofhisenclosurerottedontheground,orthefruitofhisplantingperishedwithoutgatheringandlayingup,thispartoftheearth,notwithstandinghisenclosure,wasstilltobelookedonaswaste,andmightbethepossessionofanyother。Thus,atthebeginning,Cainmighttakeasmuchgroundashecouldtillandmakeithisownland,andyetleaveenoughtoAbel’ssheeptofeedon:
afewacreswouldserveforboththeirpossessions。Butasfamiliesincreasedandindustryenlargedtheirstocks,theirpossessionsenlargedwiththeneedofthem;butyetitwascommonlywithoutanyfixedpropertyinthegroundtheymadeuseoftilltheyincorporated,settledthemselvestogether,andbuiltcities,andthen,byconsent,theycameintimetosetouttheboundsoftheirdistinctterritoriesandagreeonlimitsbetweenthemandtheirneighbours,andbylawswithinthemselvessettledthepropertiesofthoseofthesamesociety。Forweseethatinthatpartoftheworldwhichwasfirstinhabited,andthereforeliketobebestpeopled,evenaslowdownasAbraham’stime,theywanderedwiththeirflocksandtheirherds,whichwastheirsubstance,freelyupanddown-andthisAbrahamdidinacountrywherehewasastranger;whenceitisplainthat,atleast,agreatpartofthelandlayincommon,thattheinhabitantsvalueditnot,norclaimedpropertyinanymorethantheymadeuseof;butwhentherewasnotroomenoughinthesameplacefortheirherdstofeedtogether,they,byconsent,asAbrahamandLotdid(Gen。xiii。5),separatedandenlargedtheirpasturewhereitbestlikedthem。Andforthesamereason,Esauwentfromhisfatherandhisbrother,andplantedinMountSeir(Gen。36。6)。
39。Andthus,withoutsupposinganyprivatedominionandpropertyinAdamoveralltheworld,exclusiveofallothermen,whichcannowaybeproved,noranyone’spropertybemadeoutfromit,butsupposingtheworld,givenasitwastothechildrenofmenincommon,weseehowlabourcouldmakemendistincttitlestoseveralparcelsofitfortheirprivateuses,whereintherecouldbenodoubtofright,noroomforquarrel。
40。Norisitsostrangeas,perhaps,beforeconsideration,itmayappear,thatthepropertyoflabourshouldbeabletooverbalancethecommunityofland,foritislabourindeedthatputsthedifferenceofvalueoneverything;andletanyoneconsiderwhatthedifferenceisbetweenanacreoflandplantedwithtobaccoorsugar,sownwithwheatorbarley,andanacreofthesamelandlyingincommonwithoutanyhusbandryuponit,andhewillfindthattheimprovementoflabourmakesthefargreaterpartofthevalue。Ithinkitwillbebutaverymodestcomputationtosay,thatoftheproductsoftheearthusefultothelifeofman,nine-tenthsaretheeffectsoflabour。Nay,ifwewillrightlyestimatethingsastheycometoouruse,andcastuptheseveralexpensesaboutthem-whatinthemispurelyowingtoNatureandwhattolabour-weshallfindthatinmostofthemninety-ninehundredthsarewhollytobeputontheaccountoflabour。
41。TherecannotbeaclearerdemonstrationofanythingthanseveralnationsoftheAmericansareofthis,whoarerichinlandandpoorinallthecomfortsoflife;whomNature,havingfurnishedasliberallyasanyotherpeoplewiththematerialsofplenty-i。e。,afruitfulsoil,apttoproduceinabundancewhatmightserveforfood,raiment,anddelight;yet,forwantofimprovingitbylabour,havenotonehundredthpartoftheconvenienciesweenjoy,andakingofalargeandfruitfulterritorytherefeeds,lodges,andiscladworsethanadaylabourerinEngland。
42。Tomakethisalittleclearer,letusbuttracesomeoftheordinaryprovisionsoflife,throughtheirseveralprogresses,beforetheycometoouruse,andseehowmuchtheyreceiveoftheirvaluefromhumanindustry。Bread,wine,andclotharethingsofdailyuseandgreatplenty;yetnotwithstandingacorns,water,andleaves,orskinsmustbeourbread,drinkandclothing,didnotlabourfurnishuswiththesemoreusefulcommodities。Forwhateverbreadismoreworththanacorns,winethanwater,andclothorsilkthanleaves,skinsormoss,thatiswhollyowingtolabourandindustry。
TheoneofthesebeingthefoodandraimentwhichunassistedNaturefurnishesuswith;theotherprovisionswhichourindustryandpainsprepareforus,whichhowmuchtheyexceedtheotherinvalue,whenanyonehathcomputed,hewillthenseehowmuchlabourmakesthefargreatestpartofthevalueofthingsweenjoyinthisworld;andthegroundwhichproducesthematerialsisscarcetobereckonedinasany,oratmost,butaverysmallpartofit;solittle,thatevenamongstus,landthatisleftwhollytonature,thathathnoimprovementofpasturage,tillage,orplanting,iscalled,asindeeditis,waste;andweshallfindthebenefitofitamounttolittlemorethannothing。
43。Anacreoflandthatbearsheretwentybushelsofwheat,andanotherinAmerica,which,withthesamehusbandry,woulddothelike,are,withoutdoubt,ofthesamenatural,intrinsicvalue。Butyetthebenefitmankindreceivesfromoneinayearisworthfivepounds,andtheotherpossiblynotworthapenny;ifalltheprofitanIndianreceivedfromitweretobevaluedandsoldhere,atleastI
maytrulysay,notonethousandth。Itislabour,then,whichputsthegreatestpartofvalueuponland,withoutwhichitwouldscarcelybeworthanything;itistothatweowethegreatestpartofallitsusefulproducts;forallthatthestraw,bran,bread,ofthatacreofwheat,ismoreworththantheproductofanacreofasgoodlandwhichlieswasteisalltheeffectoflabour。Foritisnotbarelytheploughman’spains,thereaper’sandthresher’stoil,andthebaker’ssweat,istobecountedintothebreadweeat;thelabourofthosewhobroketheoxen,whodiggedandwroughttheironandstones,whofelledandframedthetimberemployedabouttheplough,mill,oven,oranyotherutensils,whichareavastnumber,requisitetothiscorn,fromitssowingtoitsbeingmadebread,mustallbechargedontheaccountoflabour,andreceivedasaneffectofthat;Natureandtheearthfurnishedonlythealmostworthlessmaterialsasinthemselves。Itwouldbeastrangecatalogueofthingsthatindustryprovidedandmadeuseofabouteveryloafofbreadbeforeitcametoouruseifwecouldtracethem;
iron,wood,leather,bark,timber,stone,bricks,coals,lime,cloth,dyeing-drugs,pitch,tar,masts,ropes,andallthematerialsmadeuseofintheshipthatbroughtanyofthecommoditiesmadeuseofbyanyoftheworkmen,toanypartofthework,allwhichitwouldbealmostimpossible,atleasttoolong,toreckonup。
44。Fromallwhichitisevident,thatthoughthethingsofNaturearegivenincommon,man(bybeingmasterofhimself,andproprietorofhisownperson,andtheactionsorlabourofit)hadstillinhimselfthegreatfoundationofproperty;andthatwhichmadeupthegreatpartofwhatheappliedtothesupportorcomfortofhisbeing,wheninventionandartshadimprovedtheconveniencesoflife,wasperfectlyhisown,anddidnotbelongincommontoothers。
45。Thuslabour,inthebeginning,gavearightofproperty,whereveranyonewaspleasedtoemployit,uponwhatwascommon,whichremainedalongwhile,thefargreaterpart,andisyetmorethanmankindmakesuseofMenatfirst,forthemostpart,contentedthemselveswithwhatunassistedNatureofferedtotheirnecessities;
andthoughafterwards,insomepartsoftheworld,wheretheincreaseofpeopleandstock,withtheuseofmoney,hadmadelandscarce,andsoofsomevalue,theseveralcommunitiessettledtheboundsoftheirdistinctterritories,and,bylaws,withinthemselves,regulatedthepropertiesoftheprivatemenoftheirsociety,andso,bycompactandagreement,settledthepropertywhichlabourandindustrybegan。Andtheleaguesthathavebeenmadebetweenseveralstatesandkingdoms,eitherexpresslyortacitlydisowningallclaimandrighttothelandintheother’spossession,have,bycommonconsent,givenuptheirpretencestotheirnaturalcommonright,whichoriginallytheyhadtothosecountries;andsohave,bypositiveagreement,settledapropertyamongstthemselves,indistinctpartsoftheworld;yettherearestillgreattractsofgroundtobefound,whichtheinhabitantsthereof,nothavingjoinedwiththerestofmankindintheconsentoftheuseoftheircommonmoney,liewaste,andaremorethanthepeoplewhodwellonit,do,orcanmakeuseof,andsostilllieincommon;thoughthiscanscarcehappenamongstthatpartofmankindthathaveconsentedtotheuseofmoney。
46。Thegreatestpartofthingsreallyusefultothelifeofman,andsuchasthenecessityofsubsistingmadethefirstcommonersoftheworldlookafter-asitdoththeAmericansnow-aregenerallythingsofshortduration,suchas-iftheyarenotconsumedbyuse-
willdecayandperishofthemselves。Gold,silver,anddiamondsarethingsthatfancyoragreementhathputthevalueon,morethanrealuseandthenecessarysupportoflife。NowofthosegoodthingswhichNaturehathprovidedincommon,everyonehatharight(ashathbeensaid)toasmuchashecoulduse;andhadapropertyinallhecouldeffectwithhislabour;allthathisindustrycouldextendto,toalterfromthestateNaturehadputitin,washis。Hethatgatheredahundredbushelsofacornsorappleshadtherebyapropertyinthem;theywerehisgoodsassoonasgathered。Hewasonlytolookthatheusedthembeforetheyspoiled,elsehetookmorethanhisshare,androbbedothers。And,indeed,itwasafoolishthing,aswellasdishonest,tohoardupmorethanhecouldmakeuseofIfhegaveawayaparttoanybodyelse,sothatitperishednotuselesslyinhispossession,thesehealsomadeuseofAndifhealsobarteredawayplumsthatwouldhaverottedinaweek,fornutsthatwouldlastgoodforhiseatingawholeyear,hedidnoinjury;hewastednotthecommonstock;destroyednopartoftheportionofgoodsthatbelongedtoothers,solongasnothingperisheduselesslyinhishands。Again,ifhewouldgivehisnutsforapieceofmetal,pleasedwithitscolour,orexchangehissheepforshells,orwoolforasparklingpebbleoradiamond,andkeepthosebyhimallhislife,heinvadednottherightofothers;hemightheapupasmuchofthesedurablethingsashepleased;theexceedingoftheboundsofhisjustpropertynotlyinginthelargenessofhispossession,buttheperishingofanythinguselesslyinit。
47。Andthuscameintheuseofmoney;somelastingthingthatmenmightkeepwithoutspoiling,andthat,bymutualconsent,menwouldtakeinexchangeforthetrulyusefulbutperishablesupportsoflife。
48。Andasdifferentdegreesofindustrywereapttogivemenpossessionsindifferentproportions,sothisinventionofmoneygavethemtheopportunitytocontinueandenlargethem。Forsupposinganisland,separatefromallpossiblecommercewiththerestoftheworld,whereintherewerebutahundredfamilies,butthereweresheep,horses,andcows,withotherusefulanimals,wholesomefruits,andlandenoughforcornforahundredthousandtimesasmany,butnothingintheisland,eitherbecauseofitscommonnessorperishableness,fittosupplytheplaceofmoney。Whatreasoncouldanyonehavetheretoenlargehispossessionsbeyondtheuseofhisfamily,andaplentifulsupplytoitsconsumption,eitherinwhattheirownindustryproduced,ortheycouldbarterforlikeperishable,usefulcommoditieswithothers?Wherethereisnotsomethingbothlastingandscarce,andsovaluabletobehoardedup,theremenwillnotbeapttoenlargetheirpossessionsofland,wereitneversorich,neversofreeforthemtotake。ForIask,whatwouldamanvaluetenthousandoranhundredthousandacresofexcellentland,readycultivatedandwellstocked,too,withcattle,inthemiddleoftheinlandpartsofAmerica,wherehehadnohopesofcommercewithotherpartsoftheworld,todrawmoneytohimbythesaleoftheproduct?Itwouldnotbeworththeenclosing,andweshouldseehimgiveupagaintothewildcommonofNaturewhateverwasmorethanwouldsupplytheconveniencesoflife,tobehadthereforhimandhisfamily。
49。Thus,inthebeginning,alltheworldwasAmerica,andmoresothanthatisnow;fornosuchthingasmoneywasanywhereknown。
Findoutsomethingthathaththeuseandvalueofmoneyamongsthisneighbours,youshallseethesamemanwillbeginpresentlytoenlargehispossessions。
50。But,sincegoldandsilver,beinglittleusefultothelifeofman,inproportiontofood,raiment,andcarriage,hasitsvalueonlyfromtheconsentofmen-whereoflabouryetmakesingreatpartthemeasure-itisplainthattheconsentofmenhaveagreedtoadisproportionateandunequalpossessionoftheearth-Imeanoutoftheboundsofsocietyandcompact;foringovernmentsthelawsregulateit;theyhaving,byconsent,foundoutandagreedinawayhowamanmay,rightfullyandwithoutinjury,possessmorethanhehimselfcanmakeuseofbyreceivinggoldandsilver,whichmaycontinuelonginaman’spossessionwithoutdecayingfortheoverplus,andagreeingthosemetalsshouldhaveavalue。
51。Andthus,Ithink,itisveryeasytoconceive,withoutanydifficulty,howlabourcouldatfirstbeginatitleofpropertyinthecommonthingsofNature,andhowthespendingituponourusesboundedit;sothattherecouldthenbenoreasonofquarrellingabouttitle,noranydoubtaboutthelargenessofpossessionitgave。Rightandconveniencywenttogether。Forasamanhadarighttoallhecouldemployhislabourupon,sohehadnotemptationtolabourformorethanhecouldmakeuseof。Thisleftnoroomforcontroversyaboutthetitle,norforencroachmentontherightofothers。Whatportionamancarvedtohimselfwaseasilyseen;anditwasuseless,aswellasdishonest,tocarvehimselftoomuch,ortakemorethanheneeded。