second treatise of government-第21章
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ent to abide for some time; though; whilst he continued in it; he were obliged to comply with the laws; and submit to the government he found there。 And thus we see; that foreigners; by living all their lives under another government; and enjoying the privileges and protection of it; though they are bound; even in conscience; to submit to its administration; as far forth as any denison; yet do not thereby come to be subjects or members of that common… wealth。 Nothing can make any man so; but his actually entering into it by positive engagement; and express promise and compact。 This is that; which I think; concerning the beginning of political societies; and that consent which makes any one a member of any common…wealth。
CHAP。 IX。 Of the Ends of Political Society and Government。
Sec。 123。 IF man in the state of nature be so free; as has been said; if he be absolute lord of his own person and possessions; equal to the greatest; and subject to no body; why will he part with his freedom? why will he give up this empire; and subject himself to the dominion and controul of any other power? To which it is obvious to answer; that though in the state of nature he hath such a right; yet the enjoyment of it is very uncertain; and constantly exposed to the invasion of others: for all being kings as much as he; every man his equal; and the greater part no strict observers of equity and justice; the enjoyment of the property he has in this state is very unsafe; very unsecure。 This makes him willing to quit a condition; which; however free; is full of fears and continual dangers: and it is not without reason; that he seeks out; and is willing to join in society with others; who are already united; or have a mind to unite; for the mutual preservation of their lives; liberties and estates; which I call by the general name; property。 Sec。 124。 The great and chief end; therefore; of men's uniting into commonwealths; and putting themselves under government; is the preservation of their property。 To which in the state of nature there are many things wanting。 First; There wants an established; settled; known law; received and allowed by common consent to be the standard of right and wrong; and the common measure to decide all controversies between them: for though the law of nature be plain and intelligible to all rational creatures; yet men being biassed by their interest; as well as ignorant for want of study of it; are not apt to allow of it as a law binding to them in the application of it to their particular cases。 Sec。 125。 Secondly; In the state of nature there wants a known and indifferent judge; with authority to determine all differences according to the established law: for every one in that state being both judge and executioner of the law of nature; men being partial to themselves; passion and revenge is very apt to carry them too far; and with too much heat; in their own cases; as well as negligence; and unconcernedness; to make them too remiss in other men's。
Sec。 126。 Thirdly; In the state of nature there often wants power to back and support the sentence when right; and to give it due execution; They who by any injustice offended; will seldom fail; where they are able; by force to make good their injustice; such resistance many times makes the punishment dangerous; and frequently destructive; to those who attempt it。 Sec。 127。 Thus mankind; notwithstanding all the privileges of the state of nature; being but in an ill condition; while they remain in it; are quickly driven into society。 Hence it comes to pass; that we seldom find any number of men live any time together in this state。 The inconveniencies that they are therein exposed to; by the irregular and uncertain exercise of the power every man has of punishing the transgressions of others; make them take sanctuary under the established laws of government; and therein seek the preservation of their property。 It is this makes them so willingly give up every one his single power of punishing; to be exercised by such alone; as shall be appointed to it amongst them; and by such rules as the community; or those authorized by them to that purpose; shall agree on。 And in this we have the original right and rise of both the legislative and executive power; as well as of the governments and societies themselves。 Sec。 128。 For in the state of nature; to omit the liberty he has of innocent delights; a man has two powers。 The first is to do whatsoever he thinks fit for the preservation of himself; and others within the permission of the law of nature: by which law; common to them all; he and all the rest of mankind are one community; make up one society; distinct from all other creatures。 And were it not for the corruption and vitiousness of degenerate men; there would be no need of any other; no necessity that men should separate from this great and natural community; and by positive agreements combine into smaller and divided associations。 The other power a man has in the state of nature; is the power to punish the crimes committed against that law。 Both these he gives up; when he joins in a private; if I may so call it; or particular politic society; and incorporates into any common…wealth; separate from the rest of mankind。 Sec。 129。 The first power; viz。 of doing whatsoever he thought for the preservation of himself; and the rest of mankind; he gives up to be regulated by laws made by the society; so far forth as the preservation of himself; and the rest of that society shall require; which laws of the society in many things confine the liberty he had by the law of nature。 Sec。 130。 Secondly; The power of punishing he wholly gives up; and engages his natural force; (which he might before employ in the execution of the law of nature; by his own single authority; as he thought fit) to assist the executive power of the society; as the law thereof shall require: for being now in a new state; wherein he is to enjoy many conveniencies; from the labour; assistance; and society of others in the same community; as well as protection from its whole strength; he is to part also with as much of his natural liberty; in providing for himself; as the good; prosperity; and safety of the society shall require; which is not only necessary; but just; since the other members of the society do the like。 Sec。 131。 But though men; when they enter into society; give up the equality; liberty; and executive power they had in the state of nature; into the hands of the society; to be so far disposed of by the legislative; as the good of the society shall require; yet it being only with an intention in every one the better to preserve himself; his liberty and property; (for no rational creature can be supposed to change his condition with an intention to be worse) the power of the society; or legislative constituted by them; can never be supposed to extend farther; than the common good; but is obliged to secure every one's
property; by providing against those three defects above mentioned; that made the state of nature so unsafe and uneasy。 And so whoever has the legislative or supreme power of any common…wealth; is bound to govern by established standing laws; promulgated and known to the people; and not by extemporary decrees; by indifferent and upright judges; who are to decide controversies by those laws; and to employ the force of the community at home; only in the execution of such laws; or abroad to prevent or redress foreign injuries; and secure the community from inroads and invasion。 And all this to be directed to no other end; but the peace; safety; and public good of the people。
CHAP。 X。
Of the Forms of a Common…wealth。
Sec。 132。 THE majority having; as has been shewed; upon men's first uniting into society; the whole power of the community naturally in them; may employ all that power in making laws for the community from time to time; and executing those laws by officers of their own appointing; and