ChapterVI
OfPaternalPower52。ITmayperhapsbecensuredanimpertinentcriticisminadiscourseofthisnaturetofindfaultwithwordsandnamesthathaveobtainedintheworld。Andyetpossiblyitmaynotbeamisstooffernewoneswhentheoldareapttoleadmenintomistakes，asthisofpaternalpowerprobablyhasdone，whichseemssotoplacethepowerofparentsovertheirchildrenwhollyinthefather，asifthemotherhadnoshareinit；whereasifweconsultreasonorrevelation，weshallfindshehasanequaltitle，whichmaygiveonereasontoaskwhetherthismightnotbemoreproperlycalledparentalpower？ForwhateverobligationNatureandtherightofgenerationlaysonchildren，itmustcertainlybindthemequaltoboththeconcurrentcausesofit。AndaccordinglyweseethepositivelawofGodeverywherejoinsthemtogetherwithoutdistinction，whenitcommandstheobedienceofchildren："Honourthyfatherandthymother"（Exod。
20。12）；"Whosoevercursethhisfatherorhismother"（Lev。20。9）；
"Yeshallfeareverymanhismotherandhisfather"（Lev。19。3）；
"Children，obeyyourparents"（Eph。6。1），etc。，isthestyleoftheOldandNewTestament。
53。Hadbutthisonethingbeenwellconsideredwithoutlookinganydeeperintothematter，itmightperhapshavekeptmenfromrunningintothosegrossmistakestheyhavemadeaboutthispowerofparents，whichhoweveritmightwithoutanygreatharshnessbearthenameofabsolutedominionandregalauthority，whenunderthetitleof"paternal"power，itseemedappropriatedtothefather；wouldyethavesoundedbutoddly，andintheverynameshowntheabsurdity，ifthissupposedabsolutepoweroverchildrenhadbeencalledparental，andtherebydiscoveredthatitbelongedtothemothertoo。Foritwillbutveryillservetheturnofthosemenwhocontendsomuchfortheabsolutepowerandauthorityofthefatherhood，astheycallit，thatthemothershouldhaveanyshareinit。Anditwouldhavebutillsupportedthemonarchytheycontendfor，whenbytheverynameitappearedthatthatfundamentalauthorityfromwhencetheywouldderivetheirgovernmentofasinglepersononlywasnotplacedinone，buttwopersonsjointly。Buttoletthisofnamespass。
54。ThoughIhavesaidabove（2）"Thatallmenbynatureareequal，"
Icannotbesupposedtounderstandallsortsof"equality。"Ageorvirtuemaygivemenajustprecedency。Excellencyofpartsandmeritmayplaceothersabovethecommonlevel。Birthmaysubjectsome，andallianceorbenefitsothers，topayanobservancetothosetowhomNature，gratitude，orotherrespects，mayhavemadeitdue；andyetallthisconsistswiththeequalitywhichallmenareinrespectofjurisdictionordominiononeoveranother，whichwastheequalityI
therespokeofaspropertothebusinessinhand，beingthatequalrightthateverymanhathtohisnaturalfreedom，withoutbeingsubjectedtothewillorauthorityofanyotherman。
55。Children，Iconfess，arenotborninthisfullstateofequality，thoughtheyareborntoit。Theirparentshaveasortofruleandjurisdictionoverthemwhentheycomeintotheworld，andforsometimeafter，butitisbutatemporaryone。Thebondsofthissubjectionareliketheswaddlingclothestheyarewraptupinandsupportedbyintheweaknessoftheirinfancy。Ageandreasonastheygrowuploosenthem，tillatlengththeydropquiteoff，andleaveamanathisownfreedisposal。
56。Adamwascreatedaperfectman，hisbodyandmindinfullpossessionoftheirstrengthandreason，andsowascapablefromthefirstinstanceofhisbeingtoprovideforhisownsupportandpreservation，andgovernhisactionsaccordingtothedictatesofthelawofreasonGodhadimplantedinhim。Fromhimtheworldispeopledwithhisdescendants，whoareallborninfants，weakandhelpless，withoutknowledgeorunderstanding。Buttosupplythedefectsofthisimperfectstatetilltheimprovementofgrowthandagehadremovedthem，AdamandEve，andafterthemallparentswere，bythelawofNature，underanobligationtopreserve，nourishandeducatethechildrentheyhadbegotten，notastheirownworkmanship，buttheworkmanshipoftheirownMaker，theAlmighty，towhomtheyweretobeaccountableforthem。
57。ThelawthatwastogovernAdamwasthesamethatwastogovernallhisposterity，thelawofreason。Buthisoffspringhavinganotherwayofentranceintotheworld，differentfromhim，byanaturalbirth，thatproducedthemignorant，andwithouttheuseofreason，theywerenotpresentlyunderthatlaw。Fornobodycanbeunderalawthatisnotpromulgatedtohim；andthislawbeingpromulgatedormadeknownbyreasononly，hethatisnotcometotheuseofhisreasoncannotbesaidtobeunderthislaw；andAdam’schildrenbeingnotpresentlyassoonasbornunderthislawofreason，werenotpresentlyfree。Forlaw，initstruenotion，isnotsomuchthelimitationasthedirectionofafreeandintelligentagenttohisproperinterest，andprescribesnofartherthanisforthegeneralgoodofthoseunderthatlaw。Couldtheybehappierwithoutit，thelaw，asauselessthing，wouldofitselfvanish；andthatilldeservesthenameofconfinementwhichhedgesusinonlyfrombogsandprecipices。Sothathoweveritmaybemistaken，theendoflawisnottoabolishorrestrain，buttopreserveandenlargefreedom。Forinallthestatesofcreatedbeings，capableoflaws，wherethereisnolawthereisnofreedom。Forlibertyistobefreefromrestraintandviolencefromothers，whichcannotbewherethereisnolaw；andisnot，aswearetold，"alibertyforeverymantodowhathelists。"
Forwhocouldbefree，wheneveryotherman’shumourmightdomineeroverhim？Butalibertytodisposeandorderfreelyashelistshisperson，actions，possessions，andhiswholepropertywithintheallowanceofthoselawsunderwhichheis，andthereinnottobesubjecttothearbitrarywillofanother，butfreelyfollowhisown。
58。Thepower，then，thatparentshaveovertheirchildrenarisesfromthatdutywhichisincumbentonthem，totakecareoftheiroffspringduringtheimperfectstateofchildhood。Toinformthemind，andgoverntheactionsoftheiryetignorantnonage，tillreasonshalltakeitsplaceandeasethemofthattrouble，iswhatthechildrenwant，andtheparentsareboundto。ForGodhavinggivenmananunderstandingtodirecthisactions，hasallowedhimafreedomofwillandlibertyofacting，asproperlybelongingthereuntowithintheboundsofthatlawheisunder。Butwhilstheisinanestatewhereinhehasnounderstandingofhisowntodirecthiswill，heisnottohaveanywillofhisowntofollow。Hethatunderstandsforhimmustwillforhimtoo；hemustprescribetohiswill，andregulatehisactions，butwhenhecomestotheestatethatmadehisfatherafreeman，thesonisafreemantoo。
59。Thisholdsinallthelawsamanisunder，whethernaturalorcivil。IsamanunderthelawofNature？Whatmadehimfreeofthatlaw？whatgavehimafreedisposingofhisproperty，accordingtohisownwill，withinthecompassofthatlaw？Ianswer，anestatewhereinhemightbesupposedcapabletoknowthatlaw，thatsohemightkeephisactionswithintheboundsofit。Whenhehasacquiredthatstate，heispresumedtoknowhowfarthatlawistobehisguide，andhowfarhemaymakeuseofhisfreedom，andsocomestohaveit；tillthen，somebodyelsemustguidehim，whoispresumedtoknowhowfarthelawallowsaliberty。Ifsuchastateofreason，suchanageofdiscretionmadehimfree，thesameshallmakehissonfreetoo。IsamanunderthelawofEngland？whatmadehimfreeofthatlaw-thatis，tohavethelibertytodisposeofhisactionsandpossessions，accordingtohisownwill，withinthepermissionofthatlaw？acapacityofknowingthatlaw。Whichissupposed，bythatlaw，attheageoftwenty-one，andinsomecasessooner。Ifthismadethefatherfree，itshallmakethesonfreetoo。Tillthen，weseethelawallowsthesontohavenowill，butheistobeguidedbythewillofhisfatherorguardian，whoistounderstandforhim。
Andifthefatherdieandfailtosubstituteadeputyinthistrust，ifhehathnotprovidedatutortogovernhissonduringhisminority，duringhiswantofunderstanding，thelawtakescaretodoit：someothermustgovernhimandbeawilltohimtillhehathattainedtoastateoffreedom，andhisunderstandingbefittotakethegovernmentofhiswill。Butafterthatthefatherandsonareequallyfree，asmuchastutorandpupil，afternonage，equallysubjectsofthesamelawtogether，withoutanydominionleftinthefatheroverthelife，liberty，orestateofhisson，whethertheybeonlyinthestateandunderthelawofNature，orunderthepositivelawsofanestablishedgovernment。
60。ButifthroughdefectsthatmayhappenoutoftheordinarycourseofNature，anyonecomesnottosuchadegreeofreasonwhereinhemightbesupposedcapableofknowingthelaw，andsolivingwithintherulesofit，heisnevercapableofbeingafreeman，heisneverletloosetothedisposureofhisownwill；becauseheknowsnoboundstoit，hasnotunderstanding，itsproperguide，butiscontinuedunderthetuitionandgovernmentofothersallthetimehisownunderstandingisincapableofthatcharge。Andsolunaticsandidiotsareneversetfreefromthegovernmentoftheirparents：
"Childrenwhoarenotasyetcomeuntothoseyearswhereattheymayhave，andinnocents，whichareexcludedbyanaturaldefectfromeverhaving。"Thirdly："Madmen，which，forthepresent，cannotpossiblyhavetheuseofrightreasontoguidethemselves，have，fortheirguide，thereasonthatguidethothermenwhicharetutorsoverthem，toseekandprocuretheirgoodforthem，"saysHooker（Eccl。
Pol。，lib。i。，s。7）。AllwhichseemsnomorethanthatdutywhichGodandNaturehaslaidonman，aswellasothercreatures，topreservetheiroffspringtilltheycanbeabletoshiftforthemselves，andwillscarceamounttoaninstanceorproofofparents’regalauthority。
61。Thuswearebornfreeaswearebornrational；notthatwehaveactuallytheexerciseofeither：agethatbringsone，bringswithittheothertoo。Andthusweseehownaturalfreedomandsubjectiontoparentsmayconsisttogether，andarebothfoundedonthesameprinciple。Achildisfreebyhisfather’stitle，byhisfather’sunderstanding，whichistogovernhimtillhehathitofhisown。
Thefreedomofamanatyearsofdiscretion，andthesubjectionofachildtohisparents，whilstyetshortofit，aresoconsistentandsodistinguishablethatthemostblindedcontendersformonarchy，"byrightoffatherhood，"cannotmissofit；themostobstinatecannotbutallowofit。Forweretheirdoctrinealltrue，weretherightheirofAdamnowknown，and，bythattitle，settledamonarchinhisthrone，investedwithalltheabsoluteunlimitedpowerSirRobertFilmertalksof，ifheshoulddieassoonashisheirwereborn，mustnotthechild，notwithstandinghewereneversofree，neversomuchsovereign，beinsubjectiontohismotherandnurse，totutorsandgovernors，tillageandeducationbroughthimreasonandabilitytogovernhimselfandothers？Thenecessitiesofhislife，thehealthofhisbody，andtheinformationofhismindwouldrequirehimtobedirectedbythewillofothersandnothisown；andyetwillanyonethinkthatthisrestraintandsubjectionwereinconsistentwith，orspoiledhimof，thatlibertyorsovereigntyhehadarightto，orgaveawayhisempiretothosewhohadthegovernmentofhisnonage？Thisgovernmentoverhimonlypreparedhimthebetterandsoonerforit。Ifanybodyshouldaskmewhenmysonisofagetobefree，Ishallanswer，justwhenhismonarchisofagetogovern。
"Butatwhattime，"saysthejudiciousHooker（Eccl。Pol。，lib。i。，s。
6），"amanmaybesaidtohaveattainedsofarforththeuseofreasonassufficethtomakehimcapableofthoselawswherebyheisthenboundtoguidehisactions；thisisagreatdealmoreeasyforsensetodiscernthanforanyone，byskillandlearning，todetermine。"
62。Commonwealthsthemselvestakenoticeof，andallowthatthereisatimewhenmenaretobegintoactlikefreemen，andtherefore，tillthattime，requirenotoathsoffealtyorallegiance，orotherpublicowningof，orsubmissionto，thegovernmentoftheircountries。
63。Thefreedomthenofman，andlibertyofactingaccordingtohisownwill，isgroundedonhishavingreason，whichisabletoinstructhiminthatlawheistogovernhimselfby，andmakehimknowhowfarheislefttothefreedomofhisownwill。Toturnhimloosetoanunrestrainedliberty，beforehehasreasontoguidehim，isnottheallowinghimtheprivilegeofhisnaturetobefree，buttothrusthimoutamongstbrutes，andabandonhimtoastateaswretchedandasmuchbeneaththatofamanastheirs。Thisisthatwhichputstheauthorityintotheparents’handstogoverntheminorityoftheirchildren。Godhathmadeittheirbusinesstoemploythiscareontheiroffspring，andhathplacedinthemsuitableinclinationsoftendernessandconcerntotemperthispower，toapplyitasHiswisdomdesignedit，tothechildren’sgoodaslongastheyshouldneedtobeunderit。
64。Butwhatreasoncanhenceadvancethiscareoftheparentsduetotheiroffspringintoanabsolute，arbitrarydominionofthefather，whosepowerreachesnofartherthanbysuchadisciplineashefindsmosteffectualtogivesuchstrengthandhealthtotheirbodies，suchvigourandrectitudetotheirminds，asmaybestfithischildrentobemostusefultothemselvesandothers，and，ifitbenecessarytohiscondition，tomakethemworkwhentheyareablefortheirownsubsistence；butinthispowerthemother，too，hashersharewiththefather。
65。Nay，thispowersolittlebelongstothefatherbyanypeculiarrightofNature，butonlyasheisguardianofhischildren，thatwhenhequitshiscareofthemheloseshispoweroverthem，whichgoesalongwiththeirnourishmentandeducation，towhichitisinseparablyannexed，andbelongsasmuchtothefoster-fatherofanexposedchildastothenaturalfatherofanother。
Solittlepowerdoesthebareactofbegettinggiveamanoverhisissue，ifallhiscareendsthere，andthisbeallthetitlehehathtothenameandauthorityofafather。Andwhatwillbecomeofthispaternalpowerinthatpartoftheworldwhereonewomanhathmorethanonehusbandatatime？orinthosepartsofAmericawhere，whenthehusbandandwifepart，whichhappensfrequently，thechildrenarealllefttothemother，followher，andarewhollyunderhercareandprovision？Andifthefatherdiewhilstthechildrenareyoung，dotheynotnaturallyeverywhereowethesameobediencetotheirmother，duringtheirminority，astotheirfather，werehealive？Andwillanyonesaythatthemotherhathalegislativepoweroverherchildrenthatshecanmakestandingruleswhichshallbeofperpetualobligation，bywhichtheyoughttoregulatealltheconcernsoftheirproperty，andboundtheirlibertyallthecourseoftheirlives，andenforcetheobservationofthemwithcapitalpunishments？
Forthisistheproperpowerofthemagistrate，ofwhichthefatherhathnotsomuchastheshadow。Hiscommandoverhischildrenisbuttemporary，andreachesnottheirlifeorproperty。Itisbutahelptotheweaknessandimperfectionoftheirnonage，adisciplinenecessarytotheireducation。Andthoughafathermaydisposeofhisownpossessionsashepleaseswhenhischildrenareoutofdangerofperishingforwant，yethispowerextendsnottothelivesorgoodswhicheithertheirownindustry，oranother’sbounty，hasmadetheirs，nortotheirlibertyneitherwhentheyareoncearrivedtotheenfranchisementoftheyearsofdiscretion。Thefather’sempirethenceases，andhecanfromthenceforwardnomoredisposeofthelibertyofhissonthanthatofanyotherman。Anditmustbefarfromanabsoluteorperpetualjurisdictionfromwhichamanmaywithdrawhimself，havinglicencefromDivineauthorityto"leavefatherandmotherandcleavetohiswife。"
66。Butthoughtherebeatimewhenachildcomestobeasfreefromsubjectiontothewillandcommandofhisfatherashehimselfisfreefromsubjectiontothewillofanybodyelse，andtheyarebothundernootherrestraintbutthatwhichiscommontothemboth，whetheritbethelawofNatureormunicipallawoftheircountry，yetthisfreedomexemptsnotasonfromthathonourwhichheought，bythelawofGodandNature，topayhisparents，GodhavingmadetheparentsinstrumentsinHisgreatdesignofcontinuingtheraceofmankindandtheoccasionsoflifetotheirchildren。AsHehathlaidonthemanobligationtonourish，preserve，andbringuptheiroffspring，soHehaslaidonthechildrenaperpetualobligationofhonouringtheirparents，which，containinginitaninwardesteemandreverencetobeshownbyalloutwardexpressions，tiesupthechildfromanythingthatmayeverinjureoraffront，disturborendangerthehappinessorlifeofthosefromwhomhereceivedhis，andengageshiminallactionsofdefence，relief，assistance，andcomfortofthosebywhosemeansheenteredintobeingandhasbeenmadecapableofanyenjoymentsoflife。Fromthisobligationnostate，nofreedom，canabsolvechildren。Butthisisveryfarfromgivingparentsapowerofcommandovertheirchildren，oranauthoritytomakelawsanddisposeastheypleaseoftheirlivesorliberties。Itisonethingtoowehonour，respect，gratitude，andassistance；
anothertorequireanabsoluteobedienceandsubmission。Thehonourduetoparentsamonarchonhisthroneoweshismother，andyetthislessensnothisauthoritynorsubjectshimtohergovernment。
67。Thesubjectionofaminorplacesinthefatheratemporarygovernmentwhichterminateswiththeminorityofthechild；andthehonourduefromachildplacesintheparentsaperpetualrighttorespect，reverence，support，andcompliance，tomoreorless，asthefather’scare，cost，andkindnessinhiseducationhasbeenmoreorless，andthisendsnotwithminority，butholdsinallpartsandconditionsofaman’slife。Thewantofdistinguishingthesetwopowerswhichthefatherhath，intherightoftuition，duringminority，andtherightofhonourallhislife，mayperhapshavecausedagreatpartofthemistakesaboutthismatter。For，tospeakproperlyofthem，thefirstoftheseisrathertheprivilegeofchildrenanddutyofparentsthananyprerogativeofpaternalpower。
Thenourishmentandeducationoftheirchildrenisachargesoincumbentonparentsfortheirchildren’sgood，thatnothingcanabsolvethemfromtakingcareofit。Andthoughthepowerofcommandingandchastisingthemgoalongwithit，yetGodhathwovenintotheprinciplesofhumannaturesuchatendernessfortheiroffspring，thatthereislittlefearthatparentsshouldusetheirpowerwithtoomuchrigour；theexcessisseldomonthesevereside，thestrongbiasofnaturedrawingtheotherway。AndthereforeGodAlmighty，whenHewouldexpressHisgentledealingwiththeIsraelites，HetellsthemthatthoughHechastenedthem，"Hechastenedthemasamanchastenshisson"（Deut。8。5）-i。e。，withtendernessandaffection，andkeptthemundernosevererdisciplinethanwhatwasabsolutelybestforthem，andhadbeenlesskindness，tohaveslackened。Thisisthatpowertowhichchildrenarecommandedobedience，thatthepainsandcareoftheirparentsmaynotbeincreasedorill-rewarded。
68。Ontheotherside，honourandsupportallthatwhichgratituderequirestoreturn；forthebenefitsreceivedbyandfromthemistheindispensabledutyofthechildandtheproperprivilegeoftheparents。Thisisintendedfortheparents’advantage，astheotherisforthechild’s；thougheducation，theparents’duty，seemstohavemostpower，becausetheignoranceandinfirmitiesofchildhoodstandinneedofrestraintandcorrection，whichisavisibleexerciseofruleandakindofdominion。Andthatdutywhichiscomprehendedintheword"honour"requireslessobedience，thoughtheobligationbestrongerongrownthanyoungerchildren。Forwhocanthinkthecommand，"Children，obeyyourparents，"requiresinamanthathaschildrenofhisownthesamesubmissiontohisfatherasitdoesinhisyetyoungchildrentohim，andthatbythisprecepthewereboundtoobeyallhisfather’scommands，if，outofaconceitofauthority，heshouldhavetheindiscretiontotreathimstillasaboy？
69。Thefirstpart，then，ofpaternalpower，orratherduty，whichiseducation，belongssotothefatherthatitterminatesatacertainseason。Whenthebusinessofeducationisoveritceasesofitself，andisalsoalienablebefore。Foramanmayputthetuitionofhissoninotherhands；andhethathasmadehissonanapprenticetoanotherhasdischargedhim，duringthattime，ofagreatpartofhisobedience，bothtohimselfandtohismother。Butallthedutyofhonour，theotherpart，remainsneverthelessentiretothem；nothingcancancelthat。Itissoinseparablefromthemboth，thatthefather’sauthoritycannotdispossessthemotherofthisright，norcananymandischargehissonfromhonouringherthatborehim。Butboththeseareveryfarfromapowertomakelaws，andenforcingthemwithpenaltiesthatmayreachestate，liberty，limbs，andlife。Thepowerofcommandingendswithnonage，andthoughafterthathonourandrespect，supportanddefence，andwhatsoevergratitudecanobligeamanto，forthehighestbenefitsheisnaturallycapableofbealwaysduefromasontohisparents，yetallthisputsnosceptreintothefather’shand，nosovereignpowerofcommanding。Hehasnodominionoverhisson’spropertyoractions，noranyrightthathiswillshouldprescribetohisson’sinallthings；however，itmaybecomehissoninmanythings，notveryinconvenienttohimandhisfamily，topayadeferencetoit。
70。Amanmayowehonourandrespecttoanancientorwiseman，defencetohischildorfriend，reliefandsupporttothedistressed，andgratitudetoabenefactor，tosuchadegreethatallhehas，allhecando，cannotsufficientlypayit。Butallthesegivenoauthority，norightofmakinglawstoanyoneoverhimfromwhomtheyareowing。Anditisplainallthisisdue，nottothebaretitleoffather，notonlybecauseashasbeensaid，itisowingtothemothertoo，butbecausetheseobligationstoparents，andthedegreesofwhatisrequiredofchildren，maybevariedbythedifferentcareandkindnesstroubleandexpense，isoftenemployedupononechildmorethananother。
71。Thisshowsthereasonhowitcomestopassthatparentsinsocieties，wheretheythemselvesaresubjects，retainapowerovertheirchildrenandhaveasmuchrighttotheirsubjectionasthosewhoareinthestateofNature，whichcouldnotpossiblybeifallpoliticalpowerwereonlypaternal，andthat，intruth，theywereoneandthesamething；forthen，allpaternalpowerbeingintheprince，thesubjectcouldnaturallyhavenoneofit。Butthesetwopowers，politicalandpaternal，aresoperfectlydistinctandseparate，andbuiltuponsodifferentfoundations，andgiventosodifferentends，thateverysubjectthatisafatherhasasmuchapaternalpoweroverhischildrenastheprincehasoverhis。Andeveryprincethathasparentsowesthemasmuchfilialdutyandobedienceasthemeanestofhissubjectsdototheirs，andcanthereforecontainnotanypartordegreeofthatkindofdominionwhichaprinceormagistratehasoverhissubject。
72。Thoughtheobligationontheparentstobringuptheirchildren，andtheobligationonchildrentohonourtheirparents，containallthepower，ontheonehand，andsubmissionontheother，whicharepropertothisrelation，yetthereisanotherpowerordinarilyinthefather，wherebyhehasatieontheobedienceofhischildren，which，thoughitbecommontohimwithothermen，yettheoccasionsofshowingit，almostconstantlyhappeningtofathersintheirprivatefamiliesandininstancesofitelsewherebeingrare，andlesstakennoticeof，itpassesintheworldforapartof"paternaljurisdiction。"Andthisisthepowermengenerallyhavetobestowtheirestatesonthosewhopleasethembest。Thepossessionofthefatherbeingtheexpectationandinheritanceofthechildrenordinarily，incertainproportions，accordingtothelawandcustomofeachcountry，yetitiscommonlyinthefather’spowertobestowitwithamoresparingorliberalhand，accordingasthebehaviourofthisorthatchildhathcomportedwithhiswillandhumour。
73。Thisisnosmalltietotheobedienceofchildren；andtherebeingalwaysannexedtotheenjoymentoflandasubmissiontothegovernmentofthecountryofwhichthatlandisapart，ithasbeencommonlysupposedthatafathercouldobligehisposteritytothatgovernmentofwhichhehimselfwasasubject，thathiscompactheldthem；whereas，itbeingonlyanecessaryconditionannexedtothelandwhichisunderthatgovernment，reachesonlythosewhowilltakeitonthatcondition，andsoisnonaturaltieorengagement，butavoluntarysubmission；foreveryman’schildrenbeing，byNature，asfreeashimselforanyofhisancestorseverwere，may，whilsttheyareinthatfreedom，choosewhatsocietytheywilljointhemselvesto，whatcommonwealththeywillputthemselvesunder。Butiftheywillenjoytheinheritanceoftheirancestors，theymusttakeitonthesametermstheirancestorshadit，andsubmittoalltheconditionsannexedtosuchapossession。Bythispower，indeed，fathersobligetheirchildrentoobediencetothemselvesevenwhentheyarepastminority，andmostcommonly，too，subjectthemtothisorthatpoliticalpower。Butneitherofthesebyanypeculiarrightoffatherhood，butbytherewardtheyhaveintheirhandstoenforceandrecompensesuchacompliance，andisnomorepowerthanwhataFrenchmanhasoveranEnglishman，who，bythehopesofanestatehewillleavehim，willcertainlyhaveastrongtieonhisobedience；andifwhenitislefthim，hewillenjoyit，hemustcertainlytakeitupontheconditionsannexedtothepossessionoflandinthatcountrywhereitlies，whetheritbeFranceorEngland。
74。Toconclude，then，thoughthefather’spowerofcommandingextendsnofartherthantheminorityofhischildren，andtoadegreeonlyfitforthedisciplineandgovernmentofthatage；andthoughthathonourandrespect，andallthatwhichtheLatinscalledpiety，whichtheyindispensablyowetotheirparentsalltheirlifetime，andinallestates，withallthatsupportanddefence，isduetothem，givesthefathernopowerofgoverning-i。e。，makinglawsandexactingpenaltiesonhischildren；thoughbythishehasnodominionoverthepropertyoractionsofhisson，yetitisobvioustoconceivehoweasyitwas，inthefirstagesoftheworld，andinplacesstillwherethethinnessofpeoplegivesfamiliesleavetoseparateintounpossessedquarters，andtheyhaveroomtoremoveandplantthemselvesinyetvacanthabitations，forthefatherofthefamilytobecometheprinceofit；*hehadbeenarulerfromthebeginningoftheinfancyofhischildren；andwhentheyweregrownup，sincewithoutsomegovernmentitwouldbehardforthemtolivetogether，itwaslikeliestitshould，bytheexpressortacitconsentofthechildren，beinthefather，whereitseemed，withoutanychange，barelytocontinue。Andwhen，indeed，nothingmorewasrequiredtoitthanthepermittingthefathertoexercisealoneinhisfamilythatexecutivepowerofthelawofNaturewhicheveryfreemannaturallyhath，andbythatpermissionresigninguptohimamonarchicalpowerwhilsttheyremainedinit。Butthatthiswasnotbyanypaternalright，butonlybytheconsentofhischildren，isevidentfromhence，thatnobodydoubtsbutifastranger，whomchanceorbusinesshadbroughttohisfamily，hadtherekilledanyofhischildren，orcommittedanyotheract，hemightcondemnandputhimtodeath，orotherwisehavepunishedhimaswellasanyofhischildren。whichwasimpossibleheshoulddobyvirtueofanypaternalauthorityoveronewhowasnothischild，butbyvirtueofthatexecutivepowerofthelawofNaturewhich，asaman，hehadarightto；andhealonecouldpunishhiminhisfamilywheretherespectofhischildrenhadlaidbytheexerciseofsuchapower，togivewaytothedignityandauthoritytheywerewillingshouldremaininhimabovetherestofhisfamily。
*"Itisnoimprobableopinion，therefore，whichthearch-philosopherwasof，Thatthechiefpersonineveryhouseholdwasalways，asitwere，aking；sowhennumbersofhouseholdsjoinedthemselvesincivilsocietiestogether，kingswerethefirstkindofgovernorsamongthem，whichisalso，asitseemeth，thereasonwhythenameoffatherscontinuedstillinthem，whooffathersweremaderulers；asalsotheancientcustomofgovernorstodoasMelchizedec；andbeingkings，toexercisetheofficeofpriests，whichfathersdid，atthefirst，grew，perhaps，bythesameoccasion。
Howbeit，thisisnottheonlykindofregimenthathasbeenreceivedintheworld。Theinconvenienciesofonekindhavecausedsundryotherstobedevised，sothat，inaword，allpublicregimen，ofwhatkindsoever，seemethevidentlytohaverisenfromthedeliberateadvice，consultationandcompositionbetweenmen，judgingitconvenientandbehoveful，therebeingnoimpossibilityinNature，consideredbyitself，butthatmanmighthavelivedwithoutanypublicregimen。"Hooker，Eccl。Pol。，i。10。
75。Thusitwaseasyandalmostnaturalforchildren，byatacitandalmostnaturalconsent，tomakewayforthefather’sauthorityandgovernment。Theyhadbeenaccustomedintheirchildhoodtofollowhisdirection，andtorefertheirlittledifferencestohim；andwhentheyweremen，whowasfittertorulethem？Theirlittlepropertiesandlesscovetousnessseldomaffordedgreatercontroversies；andwhenanyshouldarise，wherecouldtheyhaveafitterumpirethanhe，bywhosecaretheyhadeveryonebeensustainedandbroughtup。andwhohadatendernessforthemall？Itisnowonderthattheymadenodistinctionbetwixtminorityandfullage，norlookedafterone-and-twenty，oranyotherage，thatmightmakethemthefreedisposersofthemselvesandfortunes，whentheycouldhavenodesiretobeoutoftheirpupilage。Thegovernmenttheyhadbeenunderduringitcontinuedstilltobemoretheirprotectionthanrestraint；andtheycouldnowherefindagreatersecuritytotheirpeace，liberties，andfortunesthanintheruleofafather。
76。Thusthenaturalfathersoffamilies，byaninsensiblechange，becamethepoliticmonarchsofthemtoo；andastheychancedtolivelong，andleaveableandworthyheirsforseveralsuccessionsorotherwise，sotheylaidthefoundationsofhereditaryorelectivekingdomsunderseveralconstitutionsandmanors，accordingaschance，contrivance，oroccasionshappenedtomouldthem。Butifprinceshavetheirtitlesinthefather’sright，anditbeasufficientproofofthenaturalrightoffatherstopoliticalauthority，becausetheycommonlywerethoseinwhosehandswefind，defacto，theexerciseofgovernment，Isay，ifthisargumentbegood，itwillasstronglyprovethatallprinces，nay，princesonly，oughttobepriests，sinceitisascertainthatinthebeginning"thefatherofthefamilywaspriest，asthathewasrulerinhisownhousehold。"
ChapterVII
OfPoliticalorCivilSociety77。GOD，havingmademansuchacreaturethat，inHisownjudgment，itwasnotgoodforhimtobealone，puthimunderstrongobligationsofnecessity，convenience，andinclination，todrivehimintosociety，aswellasfittedhimwithunderstandingandlanguagetocontinueandenjoyit。Thefirstsocietywasbetweenmanandwife，whichgavebeginningtothatbetweenparentsandchildren，towhich，intime，thatbetweenmasterandservantcametobeadded。Andthoughallthesemight，andcommonlydid，meettogether，andmakeupbutonefamily，whereinthemasterormistressofithadsomesortofrulepropertoafamily，eachofthese，oralltogether，cameshortof"politicalsociety，"asweshallseeifweconsiderthedifferentends，ties，andboundsofeachofthese。
78。Conjugalsocietyismadebyavoluntarycompactbetweenmanandwoman，andthoughitconsistchieflyinsuchacommunionandrightinoneanother’sbodiesasisnecessarytoitschiefend，procreation，yetitdrawswithitmutualsupportandassistance，andacommunionofintereststoo，asnecessarynotonlytounitetheircareandaffection，butalsonecessarytotheircommonoffspring，whohavearighttobenourishedandmaintainedbythemtilltheyareabletoprovideforthemselves。
79。Fortheendofconjunctionbetweenmaleandfemalebeingnotbarelyprocreation，butthecontinuationofthespecies，thisconjunctionbetwixtmaleandfemaleoughttolast，evenafterprocreation，solongasisnecessarytothenourishmentandsupportoftheyoungones，whoaretobesustainedbythosethatgotthemtilltheyareabletoshiftandprovideforthemselves。Thisrule，whichtheinfinitewiseMakerhathsettotheworksofHishands，wefindtheinferiorcreaturessteadilyobey。Inthosevivaporousanimalswhichfeedongrasstheconjunctionbetweenmaleandfemalelastsnolongerthantheveryactofcopulation，becausetheteatofthedambeingsufficienttonourishtheyoungtillitbeabletofeedongrass。themaleonlybegets，butconcernsnothimselfforthefemaleoryoung，towhosesustenancehecancontributenothing。Butinbeastsofpreytheconjunctionlastslongerbecausethedam，notbeingablewelltosubsistherselfandnourishhernumerousoffspringbyherownpreyalone（amorelaboriousaswellasmoredangerouswayoflivingthanbyfeedingongrass），theassistanceofthemaleisnecessarytothemaintenanceoftheircommonfamily，whichcannotsubsisttilltheyareabletopreyforthemselves，butbythejointcareofmaleandfemale。Thesameisobservedinallbirds（exceptsomedomesticones，whereplentyoffoodexcusesthecockfromfeedingandtakingcareoftheyoungbrood），whoseyoung，needingfoodinthenest，thecockandhencontinuematestilltheyoungareabletousetheirwingsandprovideforthemselves。
80。Andherein，Ithink，liesthechief，ifnottheonlyreason，whythemaleandfemaleinmankindaretiedtoalongerconjunctionthanothercreatures-viz。，becausethefemaleiscapableofconceiving，and，defacto，iscommonlywithchildagain，andbringsforthtooanewbirth，longbeforetheformerisoutofadependencyforsupportonhisparents’helpandabletoshiftforhimselfandhasalltheassistanceduetohimfromhisparents，wherebythefather，whoisboundtotakecareforthosehehathbegot，isunderanobligationtocontinueinconjugalsocietywiththesamewomanlongerthanothercreatures，whoseyoung，beingabletosubsistofthemselvesbeforethetimeofprocreationreturnsagain，theconjugalbonddissolvesofitself，andtheyareatlibertytillHymen，athisusualanniversaryseason，summonsthemagaintochoosenewmates。
WhereinonecannotbutadmirethewisdomofthegreatCreator，who，havinggiventomananabilitytolayupforthefutureaswellassupplythepresentnecessity，hathmadeitnecessarythatsocietyofmanandwifeshouldbemorelastingthanofmaleandfemaleamongstothercreatures，thatsotheirindustrymightbeencouraged，andtheirinterestbetterunited，tomakeprovisionandlayupgoodsfortheircommonissue，whichuncertainmixture，oreasyandfrequentsolutionsofconjugalsociety，wouldmightilydisturb。
81。Butthoughthesearetiesuponmankindwhichmaketheconjugalbondsmorefirmandlastinginamanthantheotherspeciesofanimals，yetitwouldgiveonereasontoinquirewhythiscompact，whereprocreationandeducationaresecuredandinheritancetakencarefor，maynotbemadedeterminable，eitherbyconsent，oratacertaintime，oruponcertainconditions，aswellasanyothervoluntarycompacts，therebeingnonecessity，inthenatureofthething，nortotheendsofit，thatitshouldalwaysbeforlife-I
mean，tosuchasareundernorestraintofanypositivelawwhichordainsallsuchcontractstobeperpetual。
82。Butthehusbandandwife，thoughtheyhavebutonecommonconcern，yethavingdifferentunderstandings，willunavoidablysometimeshavedifferentwillstoo。Itthereforebeingnecessarythatthelastdetermination（i。e。，therule）shouldbeplacedsomewhere，itnaturallyfallstotheman’sshareastheablerandthestronger。Butthis，reachingbuttothethingsoftheircommoninterestandproperty，leavesthewifeinthefullandtruepossessionofwhatbycontractisherpeculiarright，andatleastgivesthehusbandnomorepoweroverherthanshehasoverhislife；thepowerofthehusbandbeingsofarfromthatofanabsolutemonarchthatthewifehas，inmanycases，alibertytoseparatefromhimwherenaturalrightortheircontractallowsit，whetherthatcontractbemadebythemselvesinthestateofNatureorbythecustomsorlawsofthecountrytheylivein，andthechildren，uponsuchseparation，falltothefatherormother’slotassuchcontractdoesdetermine。
83。Foralltheendsofmarriagebeingtobeobtainedunderpoliticgovernment，aswellasinthestateofNature，thecivilmagistratedothnotabridgetherightorpowerofeither，naturallynecessarytothoseends-viz。，procreationandmutualsupportandassistancewhilsttheyaretogether，butonlydecidesanycontroversythatmayarisebetweenmanandwifeaboutthem。Ifitwereotherwise，andthatabsolutesovereigntyandpoweroflifeanddeathnaturallybelongedtothehusband，andwerenecessarytothesocietybetweenmanandwife，therecouldbenomatrimonyinanyofthesecountrieswherethehusbandisallowednosuchabsoluteauthority。Buttheendsofmatrimonyrequiringnosuchpowerinthehusband，itwasnotatallnecessarytoit。Theconditionofconjugalsocietyputitnotinhim；butwhatsoevermightconsistwithprocreationandsupportofthechildrentilltheycouldshiftforthemselves-mutualassistance，comfort，andmaintenance-mightbevariedandregulatedbythatcontractwhichfirstunitedtheminthatsociety，nothingbeingnecessarytoanysocietythatisnotnecessarytotheendsforwhichitismade。
84。Thesocietybetwixtparentsandchildren，andthedistinctrightsandpowersbelongingrespectivelytothem，IhavetreatedofsolargelyintheforegoingchapterthatIshallnothereneedtosayanythingofit；andIthinkitisplainthatitisfardifferentfromapoliticsociety。
85。Masterandservantarenamesasoldashistory，butgiventothoseoffardifferentcondition；forafreemanmakeshimselfaservanttoanotherbysellinghimforacertaintimetheserviceheundertakestodoinexchangeforwagesheistoreceive；andthoughthiscommonlyputshimintothefamilyofhismaster，andundertheordinarydisciplinethereof，yetitgivesthemasterbutatemporarypoweroverhim，andnogreaterthanwhatiscontainedinthecontractbetweenthem。Butthereisanothersortofservantwhichbyapeculiarnamewecallslaves，whobeingcaptivestakeninajustwarare，bytherightofNature，subjectedtotheabsolutedominionandarbitrarypoweroftheirmasters。Thesemenhaving，asIsay，forfeitedtheirlivesand，withit，theirliberties，andlosttheirestates，andbeinginthestateofslavery，notcapableofanyproperty，cannotinthatstatebeconsideredasanypartofcivilsociety，thechiefendwhereofisthepreservationofproperty。
86。Letusthereforeconsideramasterofafamilywithallthesesubordinaterelationsofwife，children，servantsandslaves，unitedunderthedomesticruleofafamily，withwhatresemblancesoeveritmayhaveinitsorder，offices，andnumbertoo，withalittlecommonwealth，yetisveryfarfromitbothinitsconstitution，power，andend；orifitmustbethoughtamonarchy，andthepaterfamiliastheabsolutemonarchinit，absolutemonarchywillhavebutaveryshatteredandshortpower，whenitisplainbywhathasbeensaidbefore，thatthemasterofthefamilyhasaverydistinctanddifferentlylimitedpowerbothastotimeandextentoverthoseseveralpersonsthatareinit；forexceptingtheslave（andthefamilyisasmuchafamily，andhispoweraspaterfamiliasasgreat，whethertherebeanyslavesinhisfamilyorno）hehasnolegislativepoweroflifeanddeathoveranyofthem，andnonetoobutwhatamistressofafamilymayhaveaswellashe。Andhecertainlycanhavenoabsolutepoweroverthewholefamilywhohasbutaverylimitedoneovereveryindividualinit。Buthowafamily，oranyothersocietyofmen，differfromthatwhichisproperlypoliticalsociety，weshallbestseebyconsideringwhereinpoliticalsocietyitselfconsists。
87。Manbeingborn，ashasbeenproved，withatitletoperfectfreedomandanuncontrolledenjoymentofalltherightsandprivilegesofthelawofNature，equallywithanyotherman，ornumberofmenintheworld，hathbynatureapowernotonlytopreservehisproperty-thatis，hislife，liberty，andestate，againsttheinjuriesandattemptsofothermen，buttojudgeofandpunishthebreachesofthatlawinothers，asheispersuadedtheoffencedeserves，evenwithdeathitself，incrimeswheretheheinousnessofthefact，inhisopinion，requiresit。Butbecausenopoliticalsocietycanbe，norsubsist，withouthavinginitselfthepowertopreservetheproperty，andinorderthereuntopunishtheoffencesofallthoseofthatsociety，there，andthereonly，ispoliticalsocietywhereeveryoneofthemembershathquittedthisnaturalpower，resigneditupintothehandsofthecommunityinallcasesthatexcludehimnotfromappealingforprotectiontothelawestablishedbyit。Andthusallprivatejudgmentofeveryparticularmemberbeingexcluded，thecommunitycomestobeumpire，andbyunderstandingindifferentrulesandmenauthorisedbythecommunityfortheirexecution，decidesallthedifferencesthatmayhappenbetweenanymembersofthatsocietyconcerninganymatterofright，andpunishesthoseoffenceswhichanymemberhathcommittedagainstthesocietywithsuchpenaltiesasthelawhasestablished；wherebyitiseasytodiscernwhoare，andarenot，inpoliticalsocietytogether。Thosewhoareunitedintoonebody，andhaveacommonestablishedlawandjudicaturetoappealto，withauthoritytodecidecontroversiesbetweenthemandpunishoffenders，areincivilsocietyonewithanother；butthosewhohavenosuchcommonappeal，Imeanonearth，arestillinthestateofNature，eachbeingwherethereisnoother，judgeforhimselfandexecutioner；whichis，asIhavebeforeshowedit，theperfectstateofNature。
88。Andthusthecommonwealthcomesbyapowertosetdownwhatpunishmentshallbelongtotheseveraltransgressionstheythinkworthyofit，committedamongstthemembersofthatsociety（whichisthepowerofmakinglaws），aswellasithasthepowertopunishanyinjurydoneuntoanyofitsmembersbyanyonethatisnotofit（whichisthepowerofwarandpeace）；andallthisforthepreservationofthepropertyofallthemembersofthatsociety，asfarasispossible。ButthougheverymanenteredintosocietyhasquittedhispowertopunishoffencesagainstthelawofNatureinprosecutionofhisownprivatejudgment，yetwiththejudgmentofoffenceswhichhehasgivenuptothelegislative，inallcaseswherehecanappealtothemagistrate，hehasgivenuparighttothecommonwealthtoemployhisforcefortheexecutionofthejudgmentsofthecommonwealthwheneverheshallbecalledtoit，which，indeed，arehisownjudgements，theybeingmadebyhimselforhisrepresentative。Andhereinwehavetheoriginalofthelegislativeandexecutivepowerofcivilsociety，whichistojudgebystandinglawshowfaroffencesaretobepunishedwhencommittedwithinthecommonwealth；andalsobyoccasionaljudgmentsfoundedonthepresentcircumstancesofthefact，howfarinjuriesfromwithoutaretobevindicated，andinboththesetoemployalltheforceofallthememberswhenthereshallbeneed。
89。Wherever，therefore，anynumberofmensouniteintoonesocietyastoquiteveryonehisexecutivepowerofthelawofNature，andtoresignittothepublic，thereandthereonlyisapoliticalorcivilsociety。Andthisisdonewhereveranynumberofmen，inthestateofNature，enterintosocietytomakeonepeopleonebodypoliticunderonesupremegovernment：orelsewhenanyonejoinshimselfto，andincorporateswithanygovernmentalreadymade。Forherebyheauthorisesthesociety，orwhichisallone，thelegislativethereof，tomakelawsforhimasthepublicgoodofthesocietyshallrequire，totheexecutionwhereofhisownassistance（astohisowndecrees）isdue。AndthisputsmenoutofastateofNatureintothatofacommonwealth，bysettingupajudgeonearthwithauthoritytodetermineallthecontroversiesandredresstheinjuriesthatmayhappentoanymemberofthecommonwealth，whichjudgeisthelegislativeormagistratesappointedbyit。Andwhereverthereareanynumberofmen，howeverassociated，thathavenosuchdecisivepowertoappealto，theretheyarestillinthestateofNature。
90。Andhenceitisevidentthatabsolutemonarchy，whichbysomemeniscountedfortheonlygovernmentintheworld，isindeedinconsistentwithcivilsociety，andsocanbenotformofcivilgovernmentatall。FortheendofcivilsocietybeingtoavoidandremedythoseinconveniencesofthestateofNaturewhichnecessarilyfollowfromeveryman’sbeingjudgeinhisowncase，bysettingupaknownauthoritytowhicheveryoneofthatsocietymayappealuponanyinjuryreceived，orcontroversythatmayarise，andwhicheveryoneofthesocietyoughttoobey。*Whereveranypersonsarewhohavenotsuchanauthoritytoappealto，anddecideanydifferencebetweenthemthere，thosepersonsarestillinthestateofNature。Andsoiseveryabsoluteprinceinrespectofthosewhoareunderhisdominion。
*"Thepublicpowerofallsocietyisaboveeverysoulcontainedinthesamesociety，andtheprincipaluseofthatpoweristogivelawsuntoallthatareunderit，whichlawsinsuchcaseswemustobey，unlesstherebereasonshowedwhichmaynecessarilyenforcethatthelawofreasonorofGoddothenjointhecontrary。"Hooker，Eccl。
Pol。，i。16。
91。Forhebeingsupposedtohaveall，bothlegislativeandexecutive，powerinhimselfalone，thereisnojudgetobefound，noappealliesopentoanyone，whomayfairlyandindifferently，andwithauthoritydecide，andfromwhencereliefandredressmaybeexpectedofanyinjuryorinconveniencythatmaybesufferedfromhim，orbyhisorder。Sothatsuchaman，howeverentitled，Czar，orGrandSignior，orhowyouplease，isasmuchinthestateofNature，withallunderhisdominion，asheiswiththerestofmankind。Forwhereveranytwomenare，whohavenostandingruleandcommonjudgetoappealtoonearth，forthedeterminationofcontroversiesofrightbetwixtthem，theretheyarestillinthestateofNature，andunderalltheinconvenienciesofit，withonlythiswoefuldifferencetothesubject，orratherslaveofanabsoluteprince。*Thatwhereas，intheordinarystateofNature，hehasalibertytojudgeofhisright，accordingtothebestofhispowertomaintainit；butwheneverhispropertyisinvadedbythewillandorderofhismonarch，hehasnotonlynoappeal，asthoseinsocietyoughttohave，but，asifheweredegradedfromthecommonstateofrationalcreatures，isdeniedalibertytojudgeof，ordefendhisright，andsoisexposedtoallthemiseryandinconvenienciesthatamancanfearfromone，whobeingintheunrestrainedstateofNature，isyetcorruptedwithflatteryandarmedwithpower。
*"Totakeawayallsuchmutualgrievances，injuries，andwrongs-
i。e。，suchasattendmeninthestateofNature，therewasnowaybutonlybygrowingintocompositionandagreementamongstthemselvesbyordainingsomekindofgovernmentpublic，andbyyieldingthemselvessubjectthereunto，thatuntowhomtheygrantedauthoritytoruleandgovern，bythemthepeace，tranquillity，andhappyestateoftherestmightbeprocured。Menalwaysknewthatwhereforceandinjurywasoffered，theymightbedefendersofthemselves。
Theyknewthat，howevermenmayseektheirowncommodity，yetifthisweredonewithinjuryuntoothers，itwasnottobesuffered，butbyallmenandallgoodmeanstobewithstood。Finally，theyknewthatnomanmight，inreason，takeuponhimtodeterminehisownright，andaccordingtohisowndeterminationproceedinmaintenancethereof，inasmuchaseverymanistowardshimself，andthemwhomhegreatlyaffects，partial；andtherefore，thatstrifesandtroubleswouldbeendless，excepttheygavetheircommonconsent，alltobeorderedbysomewhomtheyshouldagreeupon，withoutwhichconsenttherewouldbenoreasonthatonemanshouldtakeuponhimtobelordorjudgeoveranother。"Hooker，ibid。10。
92。Forhethatthinksabsolutepowerpurifiesmen’sblood，andcorrectsthebasenessofhumannature，needreadbutthehistoryofthis，oranyotherage，tobeconvincedtothecontrary。HethatwouldhavebeeninsolentandinjuriousinthewoodsofAmericawouldnotprobablybemuchbetteronathrone，whereperhapslearningandreligionshallbefoundouttojustifyallthatheshalldotohissubjects，andtheswordpresentlysilenceallthosethatdarequestionit。Forwhattheprotectionofabsolutemonarchyis，whatkindoffathersoftheircountriesitmakesprincestobe，andtowhatadegreeofhappinessandsecurityitcarriescivilsociety，wherethissortofgovernmentisgrowntoperfection，hethatwilllookintothelaterelationofCeylonmayeasilysee。
93。Inabsolutemonarchies，indeed，aswellasothergovernmentsoftheworld，thesubjectshaveanappealtothelaw，andjudgestodecideanycontroversies，andrestrainanyviolencethatmayhappenbetwixtthesubjectsthemselves，oneamongstanother。Thiseveryonethinksnecessary，andbelieves；hedeservestobethoughtadeclaredenemytosocietyandmankindwhoshouldgoabouttotakeitaway。
Butwhetherthisbefromatrueloveofmankindandsociety，andsuchacharityasweoweallonetoanother，thereisreasontodoubt。
Forthisisnomorethanwhateveryman，wholoveshisownpower，profit，orgreatness，may，andnaturallymustdo，keepthoseanimalsfromhurtingordestroyingoneanotherwholabouranddrudgeonlyforhispleasureandadvantage；andsoaretakencareof，notoutofanylovethemasterhasforthem，butloveofhimself，andtheprofittheybringhim。Forifitbeaskedwhatsecurity，whatfenceisthereinsuchastateagainsttheviolenceandoppressionofthisabsoluteruler，theveryquestioncanscarcebeborne。Theyarereadytotellyouthatitdeservesdeathonlytoaskaftersafety。
Betwixtsubjectandsubject，theywillgrant，theremustbemeasures，laws，andjudgesfortheirmutualpeaceandsecurity。Butasfortheruler，heoughttobeabsolute，andisaboveallsuchcircumstances；becausehehasapowertodomorehurtandwrong，itisrightwhenhedoesit。Toaskhowyoumaybeguardedfromorinjuryonthatside，wherethestrongesthandistodoit，ispresentlythevoiceoffactionandrebellion。Asifwhenmen，quittingthestateofNature，enteredintosociety，theyagreedthatallofthembutoneshouldbeundertherestraintoflaws；butthatheshouldstillretainallthelibertyofthestateofNature，increasedwithpower，andmadelicentiousbyimpunity。Thisistothinkthatmenaresofoolishthattheytakecaretoavoidwhatmischiefsmaybedonethembypolecatsorfoxes，butarecontent，nay，thinkitsafety，tobedevouredbylions。
94。But，whateverflatterersmaytalktoamusepeople’sunderstandings，itneverhindersmenfromfeeling；andwhentheyperceivethatanyman，inwhatstationsoever，isoutoftheboundsofthecivilsocietytheyareof，andthattheyhavenoappeal，onearth，againstanyharmtheymayreceivefromhim，theyareapttothinkthemselvesinthestateofNature，inrespectofhimwhomtheyfindtobeso；andtotakecare，assoonastheycan，tohavethatsafetyandsecurity，incivilsociety，forwhichitwasfirstinstituted，andforwhichonlytheyenteredintoit。Andtherefore，thoughperhapsatfirst，asshallbeshowedmoreatlargehereafter，inthefollowingpartofthisdiscourse，someonegoodandexcellentmanhavinggotapre-eminencyamongsttherest，hadthisdeferencepaidtohisgoodnessandvirtue，astoakindofnaturalauthority，thatthechiefrule，witharbitrationoftheirdifferences，byatacitconsentdevolvedintohishands，withoutanyothercautionbuttheassurancetheyhadofhisuprightnessandwisdom；yetwhentimegivingauthority，and，assomemenwouldpersuadeus，sacrednesstocustoms，whichthenegligentandunforeseeinginnocenceofthefirstagesbegan，hadbroughtinsuccessorsofanotherstamp，thepeoplefindingtheirpropertiesnotsecureunderthegovernmentasthenitwas*（whereasgovernmenthasnootherendbutthepreservationofproperty），couldneverbesafe，noratrest，northinkthemselvesincivilsociety，tillthelegislativewassoplacedincollectivebodiesofmen，callthemsenate，parliament，orwhatyouplease，bywhichmeanseverysinglepersonbecamesubjectequallywithotherthemeanestmen，tothoselaws，whichhehimself，aspartofthelegislative，hadestablished；
norcouldanyone，byhisownauthority，avoidtheforceofthelaw，whenoncemade，norbyanypretenceofsuperioritypleadexemption，therebytolicensehisown，orthemiscarriagesofanyofhisdependants。Nomanincivilsocietycanbeexemptedfromthelawsofit。Forifanymanmaydowhathethinksfitandtherebenoappealonearthforredressorsecurityagainstanyharmheshalldo，IaskwhetherhebenotperfectlystillinthestateofNature，andsocanbenopartormemberofthatcivilsociety，unlessanyonewillsaythestateofNatureandcivilsocietyareoneandthesamething，whichIhaveneveryetfoundanyonesogreatapatronofanarchyastoaffirm。*（2）
*"Atthefirst，whensomecertainkindofregimenwasonceappointed，itmaybethatnothingwasthenfurtherthoughtuponforthemannerofgoverning，butallpermitteduntotheirwisdomanddiscretionwhichweretoruletill，byexperience，theyfoundthisforallpartsveryinconvenient，soasthethingwhichtheyhaddevisedforaremedydidindeedbutincreasethesorewhichitshouldhavecured。Theysawthattolivebyoneman’swillbecamethecauseofallmen’smisery。Thisconstrainedthemtocomeuntolawswhereinallmenmightseetheirdutybeforehand，andknowthepenaltiesoftransgressingthem。"Hooker，Eccl。Pol。i。10。
*（2）"Civillaw，beingtheactofthewholebodypolitic，doththereforeoverruleeachseveralpartofthesamebody。"Hooker，ibid。
ChapterVIII
OftheBeginningofPoliticalSocieties95。MENbeing，ashasbeensaid，bynatureallfree，equal，andindependent，noonecanbeputoutofthisestateandsubjectedtothepoliticalpowerofanotherwithouthisownconsent，whichisdonebyagreeingwithothermen，tojoinanduniteintoacommunityfortheircomfortable，safe，andpeaceableliving，oneamongstanother，inasecureenjoymentoftheirproperties，andagreatersecurityagainstanythatarenotofit。Thisanynumberofmenmaydo，becauseitinjuresnotthefreedomoftherest；theyareleft，astheywere，inthelibertyofthestateofNature。Whenanynumberofmenhavesoconsentedtomakeonecommunityorgovernment，theyaretherebypresentlyincorporated，andmakeonebodypolitic，whereinthemajorityhavearighttoactandconcludetherest。