second treatise of government-第4章
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litic society; and I doubt not in the sequel of this discourse; to make it very clear。 …
C H A P。 I I I。 Of the State of War。
16。 THE state of war is a state of enmity and destruction: and therefore declaring by word or action; not a passionate and hasty; but a sedate settled design upon another man's life; puts him in a state of war with him against whom he has declared such an intention; and so has exposed his life to the other's power to be taken away by him; or any one that joins with him in his defence; and espouses his quarrel; it being reasonable and just; I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction: for; by the fundamental law of nature; man being to be preserved as much as possible; when all cannot be preserved; the safety of the innocent is to be preferred: and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him; or has discovered an enmity to his being; for the same reason that he may kill a wolf or a lion; because such men are not under the ties of the commonlaw of reason; have no other rule; but that of force and violence; and so may be treated as beasts of prey; those dangerous and noxious creatures; that will be sure to destroy him whenever he falls into their power。 Sect; 17。 And hence it is; that he who attempts to get another man into his absolute power; does thereby put himself into a state of war with him; it being to be understood as a declaration of a design upon his life: for I have reason to conclude; that he who would get me into his power without my consent; would use me as he pleased when he had got me there; and destroy me too when he had a fancy to it; for no body can desire to have me in his absolute power; unless it be to compel me by force to that which is against the right of my freedom; i。e。 make me a slave。 To be free from such force is the only security of my preservation; and reason bids me look on him; as an enemy to my preservation; who would take away that freedom which is the fence to it; so that he who makes an attempt to enslave me; thereby puts himself into a state of war with me。 He that; in the state of nature; would take away the freedom that belongs to any one in that state; must necessarily be supposed to have a foundationtofeallathevrest;hasghelthat;hin theestateeofgsociety; would take away the freedom belonging to those of that society or commonwealth; must be supposed to design to take away from them every thing else; and so be looked on as in a state of war。 Sec。 18。 This makes it lawful for a man to kill a thief; who has not in the least hurt him; nor declared any design upon his life; any farther than; by the use of force; so to get him in his power; as to take away his money; or what he pleases; from him; because using force; where he has no right; to get me into his power; let his pretence be what it will; I have no reason to suppose; that he; who would take away my liberty; would not; when he had me in his power; take away every thing else。 And therefore it is lawful for me to treat him as one who has put himself into a state of war with me; i。e。 kill him if I can; for to that hazard does he justly expose himself; whoever introduces a state of war; and is aggressor in it。 Sec。 19。 And here we have the plain difference between the state of nature and the state of war; which however some men have confounded; are as far distant; as a state of peace; good will; mutual assistance and preservation; and a state of enmity; malice; violence and mutual destruction; are one from another。 Men living together according to reason; without a common superior on earth; with authority to judge between them; is properly the state of nature。 But force; or a declared design of force; upon the person of another; where there is no common superior on earth to appeal to for relief; is the state of war: and it is the want of such an appeal gives a man the right of war even against an aggressor; tho' he be in society and a fellow subject。 Thus a thief; whom I cannot harm; but by appeal to the law; for having stolen all that I am worth; I may kill; when he sets on me to rob me but of my horse or coat; because the law; which was made for my preservation; where it cannot interpose to secure my life from present force; which; if lost; is capable of no reparation; permits me my own defence; and the right of war; a liberty to kill the aggressor; because the aggressor allows not time to appeal to our common judge; nor the decision of the law; for remedy in a case where the mischief may be irreparable。 Want of a common judge with authority; puts all men in a state of nature: force without right; upon a man's person; makes a state of war; both where there is; and is not; a common judge。 Sec。 20。 But when the actual force is over; the state of war ceases between those that are in society; and are equally on both sides subjected to the fair determination of the law; because then there lies open the remedy of appeal for the past injury; and to prevent future harm: but where no such appeal is; as in the state of nature; for want of positive laws; and judges with authority to appeal to; the state of war once begun; continues; with a right to the innocent party to destroy the other whenever he can; until the aggressor offers peace; and desires reconciliation on such terms as may repair any wrongs he has already done; and secure the innocent for the future; nay; where an appeal to the law; and constituted judges; lies open; but the remedy is denied by a manifest perverting of justice; and a barefaced wresting of the laws to protect or indemnify the violence or injuries of some men; or party of men; there it is hard to imagine any thing but a state of war: for wherever violence is used; and injury done; though by hands appointed to administer justice; it is still violence and injury; however coloured with the name; pretences; or forms of law; the end whereof being to protect and redress the innocent; by an unbiassed application of it; to all who are under it; wherever that is not bona fide done; war is made upon the sufferers; who having no appeal on earth to right them; they are left to the only remedy in such cases; an appeal to heaven。 Sec。 21。 To avoid this state of war (wherein there is no appeal but to heaven; and wherein every the least difference is apt to end; where there is no authority to decide between the contenders) is one great reason of men's putting themselves into society; and quitting the state of nature: for where there is an authority; a power on earth; from which relief can be had by appeal; there the continuance of the state of war is excluded; and the controversy is decided by that power。 Had there been any such court; any superior jurisdiction on earth; to determine the right between Jephtha and the Ammonites; they had never come to a state of war: but we see he was forced to appeal to heaven。 The Lord the Judge (says he) be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon; Judg。 xi。 27。 and then prosecuting; and relying on his appeal; he leads out his army to battle: and therefore in such controversies; where the question is put; who shall be judge? It cannot be meant; who shall decide the controversy; every one knows what Jephtha here tells us; that the Lord the Judge shall judge。 Where there is no judge on earth; the appeal lies to God in heaven。 That question then cannot mean; who shall judge; whether another hath put himself in a state of war with me; and whether I may; as Jephtha did; appeal to heaven in it? of that I myself can only be judge in my own conscience; as I will answer it; at the great day; to the supreme judge of all men。
CHAP。 IV。
Of SLAVERY。
Sec。 22。 THE natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth; and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man; but to have only the law of nature for his rule。 The liberty of man; in society; is to be under no other legislative pow