second treatise of government-第13章
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ty over one who was not his child; but by virtue of that executive power of the law of nature; which; as a man; he had a right to: and he alone could punish him in his family; where the respect of his children had laid by the exercise of such a power; to give way to the dignity and authority they were willing should remain in him; above the rest of his family。 (*It is no improbable opinion therefore; which the archphilosopher was of; that the chief person in every houshold was always; as it were; a king: so when numbers of housholds joined themselves in civil societies together; kings were the first kind of governors amongst them; which is also; as it seemeth; the reason why the name of fathers continued still in them; who; of fathers; were made rulers; as also the ancient custom of governors to do as Melchizedec; and being kings; to exercise the office of priests; which fathers did at the first; grew perhaps by the same occasion。 Howbeit; this is not the only kind of regiment that has been received in the world。 The inconveniences of one kind have caused sundry others to be devised; so that in a word; all public regiment; of what kind soever; seemeth evidently to have risen from the deliberate advice; consultation and composition between men; judging it convenient and behoveful; there being no impossibility in nature considered by itself; but that man might have lived without any public regiment; Hooker's Eccl。 Pol。 lib。 i。 sect。 10。) Sec。 75。 Thus it was easy; and almost natural for children; by a tacit; and scarce avoidable consent; to make way for the father's authority and government。 They had been accustomed in their childhood to follow his direction; and to refer their little differences to him; and when they were men; who fitter to rule them? Their little properties; and less covetousness; seldom afforded greater controversies; and when any should arise; where could they have a fitter umpire than he; by whose care they had every one been sustained and brought up; and who had a tenderness for them aII? It is no wonder that they made no distinction betwixt minority and full age; nor looked after one and twenty; or any other age that might make them the free disposers of themselves and fortunes; when they could have no desire to be out of their pupilage: the government they had been under; during it; continued still to be more their protection than restraint; and they could no where find a greater security to their peace; liberties; and fortunes; than in the rule of a father。 Sec。 76。 Thus the natural fathers of families; by an insensible change; became the politic monarchs of them too: and as they chanced to live long; and leave able and worthy heirs; for several successions; or otherwise; so they laid the foundations of hereditary; or elective kingdoms; under several constitutions and mannors; according as chance; contrivance; or occasions happened to mould them。 But if princes have their titles in their fathers right; and it be a sufficient proof of the natural right of fathers to political authority; because they commonly were those in whose hands we find; de facto; the exercise of government: I say; if this argument be good; it will as strongly prove; that all princes; nay princes only; ought to be priests; since it is as certain; that in the beginning; the father of the family was priest; as that he was ruler in his own houshold。
CHAP。 VII。
Of Political or Civil Society。
Sec。 77。 GOD having made man such a creature; that in his own judgment; it was not good for him to be alone; put him under strong obligations of necessity; convenience; and inclination to drive him into society; as well as fitted him with understanding and language to continue and enjoy it。 The first society was between man and wife; which gave beginning to that between parents and children; to which; in time; that between master and servant came to be added: and though all these might; and commonly did meet together; and make up but one family; wherein the master or mistress of it had some sort of rule proper to a family; each of these; or all together; came short of political society; as we shall see; if we consider the different ends; ties; and bounds of each of these。 Sec。 78。 Conjugal society is made by a voluntary compact between man and woman; and tho' it consist chiefly in such a communion and right in one another's bodies as is necessary to its chief end; procreation; yet it draws with it mutual support and assistance; and a communion of interests too; as necessary not only to unite their care and affection; but also necessary to their common off…spring; who have a right to be nourished; and maintained by them; till they are able to provide for themselves。 Sec。 79。 For the end of conjunction; between male and female; being not barely procreation; but the continuation of the species; this conjunction betwixt male and female ought to last; even after procreation; so long as is necessary to the nourishment and support of the young ones; who are to be sustained even after procreation; so long as is necessary to the nourishment and support of the young ones; who are to be sustained by those that got them; till they are able to shift and provide for themselves。 This rule; which the infinite wise maker hath set to the works of his hands; we find the inferior creatures steadily obey。 In those viviparous animals which feed on grass; the conjunction between male and female lasts no longer than the very act of copulation; because the teat of the dam being sufficient to nourish the young; till it be able to feed on grass; the male only begets; but concerns not himself for the female or young; to whose sustenance he can contribute nothing。 But in beasts of prey the conjunction lasts longer: because the dam not being able well to subsist herself; and nourish her numerous off…spring by her own prey alone; a more laborious; as well as more dangerous way of living; than by feeding on grass; the assistance of the male is necessary to the maintenance of their common family; which cannot subsist till they are able to prey for themselves; but by the joint care of male and female。 The same is to be observed in all birds; (except some domestic ones; where plenty of food excuses the cock from feeding; and taking care of the young brood) whose young needing food in the nest; the cock and hen continue mates; till the young are able to use their wing; and provide for themselves。 Sec。 80。 And herein I think lies the chief; if not the only reason; why the male and female in mankind are tied to a longer conjunction than other creatures; viz。 because the female is capable of conceiving; and de facto is commonly with child again; and brings forth too a new birth; long before the former is out of a dependency for support on his parents help; and able to shift for himself; and has all the assistance is due to him from his parents: whereby the father; who is bound to take care for those he hath begot; is under an obligation to continue in conjugal society with the same woman longer than other creatures;
whose young being able to subsist of themselves; before the time of procreation returns again; the conjugal bond dissolves of itself; and they are at liberty; till Hymen at his usual anniversary season summons them again to chuse new mates。 Wherein one cannot but admire the wisdom of the great Creator; who having given to man foresight; and an ability to lay up for the future; as well as to supply the present necessity; hath made it necessary; that society of man and wife should be more lasting; than of male and female amongst other creatures; that so their industry might be encouraged; and their interest better united; to make provision and lay up goods for their common issue; which uncertain mixture; or easy and frequent solutions of conjugal society would mightily disturb。 Sec。 81。 But tho'these are ties upon mankind; which make the conjugal bonds more firm and lasting in man; than the other species of animals; yet it would give one reaso