A Discourse: What Is The Origin of Inequality Among Men, and Is It Authorised by Natural Law?
A Discourse: What Is The Origin of Inequality Among Men, and Is It Authorised by Natural Law?
A Discourse: What Is The Origin of Inequality Among Men, and Is It Authorised by Natural Law?
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF INEQUALITY AMONG MEN, AND IS IT AUTHORISED BY NATURAL LAW?
Jean Jacq e! R" !!ea #$%& 3e #ho"ld con#ide! &hat i# nat"!al not in thin*# de'!aved ("t in tho#e &hich a!e !i*htl o!de!ed acco!din* to nat"!e- A!i#totle, Politics, B)- i, ch- 4
DEDICATION TO THE REPUBLIC OF GENE'A MOST HONOURABLE, MAGNIFICENT AND SOVEREIGN LORDS, convinced that onl a vi!t"o"#
citi$en can con%e! on hi# co"nt! hono"!# &hich it can acce't, I have (een %o! thi!t ea!# 'a#t &o!)in* to +a)e + #el% &o!th to o%%e! o" #o+e '"(lic ho+a*e, and, thi# %o!t"nate o''o!t"nit #"''le+entin* in #o+e de*!ee the in#"%%icienc o% + e%%o!t#, I have tho"*ht + #el% entitled to %ollo& in e+(!acin* it the dictate# o% the $eal &hich in#'i!e# +e, !athe! than the !i*ht &hich #ho"ld have (een + a"tho!i#ation- Havin* had the ha''ine## to (e (o!n a+on* o", ho& co"ld I !e%lect on the e."alit &hich nat"!e ha# o!dained (et&een +en, and the ine."alit &hich the have int!od"ced, &itho"t !e%lectin* on the '!o%o"nd &i#do+ ( &hich (oth a!e in thi# State ha''il co+(ined and +ade to coincide, in the +anne! that i# +o#t in con%o!+it &ith nat"!al la&, and +o#t %avo"!a(le to #ociet , to the +aintenance o% '"(lic o!de! and to the ha''ine## o% individ"al#/ In + !e#ea!che# a%te! the (e#t !"le# co++on #en#e can la do&n %o! the con#tit"tion o% a *ove!n+ent, I have (een #o #t!"c) at %indin* the+ all in act"alit in o"! o&n, that even had I not (een (o!n &ithin o"! &all# I #ho"ld have tho"*ht it indi#'en#a(le %o! +e to o%%e! thi# 'ict"!e o% h"+an #ociet to that 'eo'le, &hich o% all othe!# #ee+# to (e 'o##e##ed o% it# *!eate#t advanta*e#, and to have (e#t *"a!ded a*ain#t it# a("#e#I% I had had to +a)e choice o% the 'lace o% + (i!th, I #ho"ld have '!e%e!!ed a #ociet &hich had an e0tent '!o'o!tionate to the li+it# o% the h"+an %ac"ltie#, that i#, to the 'o##i(ilit o% (ein* &ell *ove!ned1 in &hich eve! 'e!#on (ein* e."al to hi# occ"'ation, no one #ho"ld (e o(li*ed to co++it to othe!# the %"nction# &ith &hich he &a# ent!"#ted1 a State, in &hich all the individ"al# (ein* &ell )no&n to one anothe!, neithe! the #ec!et +achination# o% vice, no! the +ode#t o% vi!t"e #ho"ld (e a(le to e#ca'e the notice and 2"d*+ent o% the '"(lic, and in &hich the 'lea#ant c"#to+ o% #eein* and )no&in* one anothe! #ho"ld +a)e the love o% co"nt! !athe! a love o% the citi$en# than o% it# #oilI #ho"ld have &i#hed to (e (o!n in a co"nt! in &hich the inte!e#t o% the Sove!ei*n and that o% the 'eo'le +"#t (e #in*le and identical, to the end that all the +ove+ent# o% the +achine +i*ht tend al&a # to the *ene!al ha''ine##- And a# thi# co"ld not (e the ca#e, "nle## the Sove!ei*n and the 'eo'le &e!e one and the #a+e 'e!#on, it %ollo&# that I #ho"ld have &i#hed to (e (o!n "nde! a de+oc!atic *ove!n+ent, &i#el te+'e!edI #ho"ld have &i#hed to live and die %!ee1 that i#, #o %a! #"(2ect to the la&# that neithe! I, no! an (od el#e, #ho"ld (e a(le to ca#t o%% thei! hono"!a(le o)e1 the ea# and #al"ta! o)e &hich the ha"*htie#t nec)# (ea! &ith the *!eate! docilit , a# the a!e +ade to (ea! no othe!5
I #ho"ld have &i#hed then that no one &ithin the State #ho"ld (e a(le to #a he &a# a(ove the la&, and that no one &itho"t #ho"ld (e a(le to dictate #o that the State #ho"ld (e o(li*ed to !eco*ni#e hi# a"tho!it - Fo!, (e the con#tit"tion o% a *ove!n+ent &hat it +a , i% the!e (e &ithin it# 2"!i#diction a #in*le +an &ho i# not #"(2ect to the la&, all the !e#t a!e nece##a!il at hi# di#c!etion- And i% the!e (e a national !"le! &ithin, and a %o!ei*n !"le! &itho"t, ho&eve! the +a divide thei! a"tho!it , it i# i+'o##i(le that (oth #ho"ld (e d"l o(e ed, o! that the State #ho"ld (e &ell *ove!nedI #ho"ld not have cho#en to live in a !e'"(lic o% !ecent in#tit"tion, ho&eve! e0cellent it# la&#, %o! %ea! the *ove!n+ent, (ein* 'e!ha'# othe!&i#e %!a+ed than the ci!c"+#tance# o% the +o+ent +i*ht !e."i!e, +i*ht di#a*!ee &ith the ne& citi$en#, o! the &ith it, and the State !"n the !i#) o% ove!th!o& and de#t!"ction al+o#t a# #oon a# it ca+e into (ein*- Fo! it i# &ith li(e!t a# it i# &ith tho#e #olid and #"cc"lent %ood#, o! &ith tho#e *ene!o"# &ine# &hich a!e &ell ada'ted to no"!i#h and %o!ti% !o("#t con#tit"tion# that a!e "#ed to the+, ("t !"in and into0icate &ea) and delicate con#tit"tion# to &hich the a!e not #"ited- 6eo'le# once acc"#to+ed to +a#te!# a!e not in a condition to do &itho"t the+- I% the atte+'t to #ha)e o%% the o)e, the #till +o!e e#t!an*e the+#elve# %!o+ %!eedo+, a#, ( +i#ta)in* %o! it an "n(!idled licen#e to &hich it i# dia+et!icall o''o#ed, the nea!l al&a # +ana*e, ( thei! !evol"tion#, to hand the+#elve# ove! to #ed"ce!#, &ho onl +a)e thei! chain# heavie! than (e%o!e- The Ro+an 'eo'le it#el%, a +odel %o! all %!ee 'eo'le#, &a# &holl inca'a(le o% *ove!nin* it#el% &hen it e#ca'ed %!o+ the o''!e##ion o% the Ta!."in#- De(a#ed ( #lave! , and the i*no+inio"# ta#)# &hich had (een i+'o#ed "'on it, it &a# at %i!#t no (ette! than a #t"'id +o(, &hich it &a# nece##a! to cont!ol and *ove!n &ith the *!eate#t &i#do+, in o!de! that, (ein* acc"#to+ed ( de*!ee# to (!eathe the health7*ivin* ai! o% li(e!t , +ind# &hich had (een ene!vated o! !athe! (!"tali#ed "nde! t !ann , +i*ht *!ad"all ac."i!e that #eve!it o% +o!al# and #'i!it o% %o!tit"de &hich +ade it at len*th the 'eo'le o% all +o#t &o!th o% !e#'ect- I #ho"ld, then, have #o"*ht o"t %o! + co"nt! #o+e 'eace%"l and ha'' Re'"(lic, o% an anti."it that lo#t it#el%, a# it &e!e, in the ni*ht o% ti+e1 &hich had e0'e!ienced onl #"ch #hoc)# a# #e!ved to +ani%e#t and #t!en*then the co"!a*e and 'at!ioti#+ o% it# #"(2ect#, and &ho#e citi$en#, lon* acc"#to+ed to a &i#e inde'endence, &e!e not onl %!ee, ("t &o!th to (e #oI #ho"ld have &i#hed to choo#e + #el% a co"nt! , dive!ted, ( a %o!t"nate i+'otence, %!o+ the (!"tal love o% con."e#t, and #ec"!ed, ( a #till +o!e %o!t"nate #it"ation, %!o+ the %ea! o% (eco+in* it#el% the con."e#t o% othe! State#1 a %!ee cit #it"ated (et&een #eve!al nation#, none o% &hich #ho"ld have an inte!e#t in attac)in* it, &hile each had an inte!e#t in '!eventin* it %!o+ (ein* attac)ed ( the othe!#, in #ho!t, a Re'"(lic &hich #ho"ld have nothin* to te+'t the a+(ition o% it# nei*h(o"!#, ("t +i*ht !ea#ona(l de'end on thei! a##i#tance in ca#e o% need- It %ollo&# that a !e'"(lican State #o ha''il #it"ated co"ld have nothin* to %ea! ("t %!o+ it#el%, and that, i% it# +e+(e!# t!ained the+#elve# to the "#e o% a!+#, it &o"ld (e !athe! to )ee' alive that +ilita! a!do"! and co"!a*eo"# #'i!it &hich a!e #o '!o'e! a+on* %!ee+en, and tend to )ee' "' thei! ta#te %o! li(e!t , than %!o+ the nece##it o% '!ovidin* %o! thei! de%enceI #ho"ld have #o"*ht a co"nt! , in &hich the !i*ht o% le*i#lation &a# ve#ted in all the citi$en#, %o! &ho can 2"d*e (ette! than the o% the condition# "nde! &hich the had (e#t d&ell to*ethe! in the #a+e #ociet / Not that I #ho"ld have a''!oved o% 6le(i#cita, li)e tho#e a+on* the Ro+an#, in &hich the !"le!# in the State, and tho#e +o#t inte!e#ted in it# '!e#e!vation, &e!e e0cl"ded %!o+ the deli(e!ation# on &hich in +an ca#e# it# #ec"!it de'ended, and in &hich, ( the +o#t a(#"!d incon#i#tenc , the +a*i#t!ate# &e!e de'!ived o% !i*ht# &hich the +eane#t citi$en# en2o edOn the cont!a! , I #ho"ld have de#i!ed that, in o!de! to '!event #el%7inte!e#ted and ill7conceived '!o2ect#, and all #"ch dan*e!o"# innovation# a# %inall !"ined the Athenian#, each +an #ho"ld not (e at li(e!t to '!o'o#e ne& la&# at 'lea#"!e, ("t that thi# !i*ht #ho"ld (elon* e0cl"#ivel to 8
the +a*i#t!ate#, and that even the #ho"ld "#e it &ith #o +"ch ca"tion, the 'eo'le, on it# #ide, (e #o !e#e!ved in *ivin* it# con#ent to #"ch la&#, and the '!o+"l*ation o% the+ (e attended &ith #o +"ch #ole+nit , that (e%o!e the con#tit"tion co"ld (e "'#et ( the+, the!e +i*ht (e ti+e eno"*h %o! all to (e convinced, that it i# a(ove all the *!eat anti."it o% the la&# &hich +a)e# the+ #ac!ed and vene!a(le, that +en #oon lea!n to de#'i#e la&# &hich the #ee dail alte!ed, and that State#, ( acc"#to+in* the+#elve# to ne*lect thei! ancient c"#to+# "nde! the '!ete0t o% i+'!ove+ent, o%ten int!od"ce *!eate! evil# than tho#e the endeavo"! to !e+oveI #ho"ld have 'a!tic"la!l avoided, a# nece##a!il ill7*ove!ned, a Re'"(lic in &hich the 'eo'le, i+a*inin* the+#elve# in a 'o#ition to do &itho"t +a*i#t!ate#, o! at lea#t to leave the+ &ith onl a '!eca!io"# a"tho!it , #ho"ld i+'!"dentl have )e't %o! the+#elve# the ad+ini#t!ation o% civil a%%ai!# and the e0ec"tion o% thei! o&n la&#- S"ch +"#t have (een the !"de con#tit"tion o% '!i+itive *ove!n+ent#, di!ectl e+e!*in* %!o+ a #tate o% nat"!e, and thi# &a# anothe! o% the vice# that cont!i("ted to the do&n%all o% the Re'"(lic o% Athen#B"t I #ho"ld have cho#en a co++"nit in &hich the individ"al#, content &ith #anctionin* thei! la&#, and decidin* the +o#t i+'o!tant '"(lic a%%ai!# in *ene!al a##e+(l and on the +otion o% the !"le!#, had e#ta(li#hed hono"!ed t!i("nal#, ca!e%"ll di#tin*"i#hed the #eve!al de'a!t+ent#, and elected ea! ( ea! #o+e o% the +o#t ca'a(le and "'!i*ht o% thei! %ello&7citi$en# to ad+ini#te! 2"#tice and *ove!n the State, a co++"nit , in #ho!t, in &hich the vi!t"e o% the +a*i#t!ate# th"# (ea!in* &itne## to the &i#do+ o% the 'eo'le, each cla## !eci'!ocall did the othe! hono"!- I% in #"ch a ca#e an %atal +i#"nde!#tandin*# a!o#e to di#t"!( the '"(lic 'eace, even the#e inte!val# o% (lindne## and e!!o! &o"ld (ea! the +a!)# o% +ode!ation, +"t"al e#tee+, and a co++on !e#'ect %o! the la&#, &hich a!e #"!e #i*n# and 'led*e# o% a !econciliation a# la#tin* a# #ince!e- S"ch a!e the advanta*e#, +o#t hono"!a(le, +a*ni%icent and #ove!ei*n lo!d#, &hich I #ho"ld have #o"*ht in the co"nt! in &hich I #ho"ld have cho#en to (e (o!n- And i% '!ovidence had added to all the#e a deli*ht%"l #it"ation, a te+'e!ate cli+ate, a %e!tile #oil, and the +o#t (ea"ti%"l co"nt! #ide "nde! Heaven, I #ho"ld have de#i!ed onl , to co+'lete + %elicit , the 'eace%"l en2o +ent o% all the#e (le##in*#, in the (o#o+ o% thi# ha'' co"nt! , to live at 'eace in the #&eet #ociet o% + %ello&7citi$en#, and '!acti#in* to&a!d# the+, %!o+ thei! o&n e0a+'le, the d"tie# o% %!iend#hi', h"+anit , and eve! othe! vi!t"e, to leave (ehind +e the hono"!a(le +e+o! o% a *ood +an, and an "'!i*ht and vi!t"o"# 'at!iotB"t, i% le## %o!t"nate o! too late *!o&n &i#e, I had #een + #el% !ed"ced to end an in%i!+ and lan*"i#hin* li%e in othe! cli+ate#, vainl !e*!ettin* that 'eace%"l !e'o#e &hich I had %o!%eited in the i+'!"dence o% o"th, I #ho"ld at lea#t have ente!tained the #a+e %eelin*# in + hea!t, tho"*h denied the o''o!t"nit o% +a)in* "#e o% the+ in + native co"nt! - Filled &ith a tende! and di#inte!e#ted love %o! + di#tant %ello&7citi$en#, I #ho"ld have add!e##ed the+ %!o+ + hea!t, +"ch in the %ollo&in* te!+#9M dea! %ello&7citi$en#, o! !athe! + (!othe!#, #ince the tie# o% (lood, a# &ell a# the la&#, "nite al+o#t all o% "#, it *ive# +e 'lea#"!e that I cannot thin) o% o", &itho"t thin)in*, at the #a+e ti+e, o% all the (le##in*# o" en2o , and o% &hich none o% o", 'e!ha'#, +o!e dee'l %eel# the val"e than I &ho have lo#t the+- The +o!e I !e%lect on o"! civil and 'olitical condition, the le## can I conceive that the nat"!e o% h"+an a%%ai!# co"ld ad+it o% a (ette!- In all othe! *ove!n+ent#, &hen the!e i# a ."e#tion o% en#"!in* the *!eate#t *ood o% the State, nothin* *et# (e ond '!o2ect# and idea#, o! at (e#t (a!e 'o##i(ilitie#- B"t a# %o! o", o"! ha''ine## i# co+'lete, and o" have nothin* to do ("t en2o it, o" !e."i!e nothin* +o!e to (e +ade 'e!%ectl ha'' , than to )no& ho& to (e #ati#%ied &ith (ein* #o- :o"! #ove!ei*nt , ac."i!ed o! !ecove!ed ( the #&o!d, and +aintained %o! t&o cent"!ie# 'a#t ( o"! valo"! and &i#do+, i# at len*th %"ll and "nive!#all ac)no&led*ed- :o"! (o"nda!ie# a!e %i0ed, o"! !i*ht# con%i!+ed and o"! !e'o#e #ec"!ed ( hono"!a(le t!eatie#- :o"! con#tit"tion i# e0cellent, (ein* not onl dictated ( the '!o%o"nde#t ;
&i#do+, ("t *"a!anteed ( *!eat and %!iendl 'o&e!#- :o"! State en2o # 'e!%ect t!an."illit , o" have neithe! &a!# no! con."e!o!# to %ea!, o" have no othe! +a#te! than the &i#e la&# o" have o"!#elve# +ade, and the#e a!e ad+ini#te!ed ( "'!i*ht +a*i#t!ate# o% o"! o&n choo#in*- :o" a!e neithe! #o &ealth a# to (e ene!vated ( e%%e+inac , and thence to lo#e, in the '"!#"it o% %!ivolo"# 'lea#"!e#, the ta#te %o! !eal ha''ine## and #olid vi!t"e, no! 'oo! eno"*h to !e."i!e +o!e a##i#tance %!o+ a(!oad than o"! o&n ind"#t! i# #"%%icient to '!oc"!e o"- In the +eanti+e the '!ecio"# '!ivile*e o% li(e!t , &hich in *!eat nation# i# +aintained onl ( #"(+i##ion to the +o#t e0o!(itant i+'o#ition#, co#t# o" ha!dl an thin* %o! it# '!e#e!vationMa a Re'"(lic, #o &i#el and ha''il con#tit"ted, la#t %o! eve!, %o! an e0a+'le to othe! nation#, and %o! the %elicit o% it# o&n citi$en#< Thi# i# the onl '!a e! o" have le%t to +a)e, the onl '!eca"tion that !e+ain# to (e ta)en- It de'end#, %o! the %"t"!e, on o"!#elve# alone =not to +a)e o" ha'' , %o! o"! ance#to!# have #aved o" that t!o"(le>, ("t to !ende! that ha''ine## la#tin*, ( o"! &i#do+ in it# en2o +ent- It i# on o"! con#tant "nion, o"! o(edience to the la&#, and o"! !e#'ect %o! thei! +ini#te!#, that o"! '!e#e!vation de'end#- I% the!e !e+ain# a+on* o" the #+alle#t t!ace o% (itte!ne## o! di#t!"#t, ha#ten to de#t!o it, a# an acc"!#ed leaven &hich #oone! o! late! +"#t (!in* +i#%o!t"ne and !"in on the State- I con2"!e o" all to loo) into o"! hea!t#, and to hea!)en to the #ec!et voice o% con#cience- I# the!e an a+on* o" &ho can %ind, th!o"*ho"t the "nive!#e, a +o!e "'!i*ht, +o!e enli*htened and +o!e hono"!a(le (od than o"! +a*i#t!ac / Do not all it# +e+(e!# #et o" an e0a+'le o% +ode!ation, o% #i+'licit o% +anne!#, o% !e#'ect %o! the la&#, and o% the +o#t #ince!e ha!+on / 6lace, the!e%o!e, &itho"t !e#e!ve, in #"ch &i#e #"'e!io!#, that #al"ta! con%idence &hich !ea#on eve! o&e# to vi!t"e- Con#ide! that the a!e o"! o&n choice, that the 2"#ti% that choice, and that the hono"!# d"e to tho#e &ho+ o" have di*ni%ied a!e nece##a!il o"!# ( !e%le0ion- Not one o% o" i# #o i*no!ant a# not to )no& that, &hen the la&# lo#e thei! %o!ce and tho#e &ho de%end the+ thei! a"tho!it , #ec"!it and li(e!t a!e "nive!#all i+'o##i(le- 3h , the!e%o!e, #ho"ld o" he#itate to do that chee!%"ll and &ith 2"#t con%idence &hich o" &o"ld all alon* have (een (o"nd to do ( o"! t!"e inte!e#t, o"! d"t and !ea#on it#el%/ Let not a c"l'a(le and 'e!nicio"# indi%%e!ence to the +aintenance o% the con#tit"tion eve! ind"ce o" to ne*lect, in ca#e o% need, the '!"dent advice o% the +o#t enli*htened and $ealo"# o% o"! %ello&7citi$en#, ("t let e."it , +ode!ation and %i!+ne## o% !e#ol"tion contin"e to !e*"late all o"! '!oceedin*#, and to e0hi(it o" to the &hole "nive!#e a# the e0a+'le o% a valiant and +ode#t 'eo'le, 2ealo"# e."all o% thei! hono"! and o% thei! li(e!t - Be&a!e 'a!tic"la!l , a# the la#t 'iece o% advice I #hall *ive o", o% #ini#te! con#t!"ction# and veno+o"# !"+o"!#, the #ec!et +otive# o% &hich a!e o%ten +o!e dan*e!o"# than the action# at &hich the a!e levelled- A &hole ho"#e &ill (e a&a)e and ta)e the %i!#t ala!+ *iven ( a *ood and t!"#t &atch7do*, &ho (a!)# onl at the a''!oach o% thieve#, ("t &e hate the i+'o!t"nit o% tho#e noi# c"!#, &hich a!e 'e!'et"all di#t"!(in* the '"(lic !e'o#e, and &ho#e contin"al ill7ti+ed &a!nin*# '!event o"! attendin* to the+, &hen the +a 'e!ha'# (e nece##a! -9 And o", +o#t hono"!a(le and +a*ni%icent lo!d#, the &o!th and !eve!ed +a*i#t!ate# o% a %!ee 'eo'le, 'e!+it +e to o%%e! o" in 'a!tic"la! + d"t and ho+a*e- I% the!e i# in the &o!ld a #tation ca'a(le o% con%e!!in* hono"! on tho#e &ho %ill it, it i# "ndo"(tedl that &hich vi!t"e and talent# co+(ine to (e#to&, that o% &hich o" have +ade o"!#elve# &o!th , and to &hich o" have (een '!o+oted ( o"! %ello&7citi$en#- Thei! &o!th add# a ne& l"#t!e to o"! o&n, &hile, a# o" have (een cho#en, ( +en ca'a(le o% *ove!nin* othe!#, to *ove!n the+#elve#, I cannot ("t hold o" a# +"ch #"'e!io! to all othe! +a*i#t!ate#, a# a %!ee 'eo'le, and 'a!tic"la!l that ove! &hich o" have the hono"! to '!e#ide, i# ( it# &i#do+ and it# !ea#on #"'e!io! to the 'o'"lace o% othe! State#-
Be it 'e!+itted +e to cite an e0a+'le o% &hich the!e o"*ht to have e0i#ted (ette! !eco!d#, and one &hich &ill (e eve! nea! to + hea!t- I cannot !ecall to +ind, &itho"t the #&eete#t e+otion#, the +e+o! o% that vi!t"o"# citi$en, to &ho+ I o&e + (ein*, and ( &ho+ I &a# o%ten in#t!"cted, in + in%anc , in the !e#'ect &hich i# d"e to o"- I #ee hi+ #till, livin* ( the &o!) o% hi# hand#, and %eedin* hi# #o"l on the #"(li+e#t t!"th#- I #ee the &o!)# o% Tacit"#, 6l"ta!ch, and G!oti"# l in* (e%o!e hi+ in the +id#t o% the tool# o% hi# t!ade- At hi# #ide #tand# hi# dea! #on, !eceivin*, ala# &ith too little '!o%it, the tende! in#t!"ction# o% the (e#t o% %athe!#- B"t, i% the %ollie# o% o"th +ade +e %o! a &hile %o!*et hi# &i#e le##on#, I have at len*th the ha''ine## to (e con#cio"# that, &hateve! '!o'en#it one +a have to vice, it i# not ea# %o! an ed"cation, &ith &hich love ha# +in*led, to (e enti!el th!o&n a&a S"ch, + +o#t hono"!a(le and +a*ni%icent lo!d#, a!e the citi$en#, and even the co++on inha(itant# o% the State &hich o" *ove!n, #"ch a!e tho#e intelli*ent and #en#i(le +en, o% &ho+, "nde! the na+e o% &o!)+en and the 'eo'le, it i# "#"al, in othe! nation#, to have a lo& and %al#e o'inion- M %athe!, I o&n &ith 'lea#"!e, &a# in no &a di#tin*"i#hed a+on* hi# %ello&7citi$en#He &a# onl #"ch a# the all a!e, and et, #"ch a# he &a#, the!e i# no co"nt! , in &hich hi# ac."aintance &o"ld not have (een coveted, and c"ltivated even &ith advanta*e ( +en o% the hi*he#t cha!acte!- It &o"ld not (eco+e +e, no! i# it, than) Heaven, at all nece##a! %o! +e to !e+ind o" o% the !e*a!d &hich #"ch +en have a !i*ht to e0'ect o% thei! +a*i#t!ate#, to &ho+ the a!e e."al (oth ( ed"cation and ( the !i*ht# o% nat"!e and (i!th, and in%e!io! onl , ( thei! o&n &ill, ( that '!e%e!ence &hich the o&e to o"! +e!it, and, %o! *ivin* o", can clai+ #o+e #o!t o% ac)no&led*+ent on o"! #ide- It i# &ith a livel #ati#%action I "nde!#tand that the *!eate#t cando"! and conde#cen#ion attend, in all o"! (ehavio"! to&a!d# the+, on that *!avit &hich (eco+e# the +ini#te!# o% the la&, and that o" #o &ell !e'a the+, ( o"! e#tee+ and attention, the !e#'ect and o(edience &hich the o&e to o"- Thi# cond"ct i# not onl 2"#t ("t '!"dent, a# it ha''il tend# to o(lite!ate the +e+o! o% +an "nha'' event#, &hich o"*ht to (e ("!ied in ete!nal o(livion- It i# al#o #o +"ch the +o!e 2"dicio"#, a# it tend# to +a)e thi# *ene!o"# and e."ita(le 'eo'le %ind a 'lea#"!e in thei! d"t , to +a)e the+ nat"!all love to do o" hono"!, and to ca"#e tho#e &ho a!e the +o#t $ealo"# in the +aintenance o% thei! o&n !i*ht# to (e at the #a+e ti+e the +o#t di#'o#ed to !e#'ect o"!#It o"*ht not to (e tho"*ht #"!'!i#in* that the !"le!# o% a civil #ociet #ho"ld have the &el%a!e and *lo! o% thei! co++"nitie# at hea!t1 ("t it i# "nco++onl %o!t"nate %o! the 'eace o% +en, &hen tho#e 'e!#on# &ho loo) "'on the+#elve# a# the +a*i#t!ate#, o! !athe! the +a#te!# o% a +o!e hol and #"(li+e co"nt! , #ho& #o+e love %o! the ea!thl co"nt! &hich +aintain# the+- I a+ ha'' in havin* it in + 'o&e! to +a)e #o #in*"la! an e0ce'tion in o"! %avo"!, and to (e a(le to !an), a+on* it# (e#t citi$en#, tho#e $ealo"# de'o#ita!ie# o% the #ac!ed a!ticle# o% %aith e#ta(li#hed ( the la&#, tho#e vene!a(le #he'he!d# o% #o"l# &ho#e 'o&e!%"l and ca'tivatin* elo."ence a!e #o +"ch the (ette! calc"lated to (ea! to +en@# hea!t# the +a0i+# o% the *o#'el, a# the a!e the+#elve# the %i!#t to '"t the+ into '!actice- All the &o!ld )no&# o% the *!eat #"cce## &ith &hich the a!t o% the '"l'it i# c"ltivated at Geneva, ("t +en a!e #o "#ed to hea!in* divine# '!each one thin* and '!acti#e anothe!, that %e& have a chance o% )no&in* ho& %a! the #'i!it o% Ch!i#tianit , holine## o% +anne!#, #eve!it to&a!d# the+#elve# and ind"l*ence to&a!d# thei! nei*h(o"!#, '!evail th!o"*ho"t the &hole (od o% o"! +ini#te!#- It i#, 'e!ha'#, *iven to the cit o% Geneva alone, to '!od"ce the edi% in* e0a+'le o% #o 'e!%ect a "nion (et&een it# cle!* and +en o% lette!#- It i# in *!eat +ea#"!e on thei! &i#do+, thei! )no&n +ode!ation, and thei! $eal %o! the '!o#'e!it o% the State that I ("ild + ho'e# o% it# 'e!'et"al t!an."illit - At the #a+e ti+e, I notice, &ith a 'lea#"!e +in*led &ith #"!'!i#e and vene!ation, ho& +"ch the dete#t the %!i*ht%"l +a0i+# o% tho#e acc"!#ed and (a!(a!o"# +en, o% &ho+ hi#to! %"!ni#he# "# &ith +o!e than one e0a+'le, &ho, in o!de! to #"''o!t the '!etended !i*ht# o% God, that i# to #a thei! o&n inte!e#t#, have (een #o +"ch the le## *!eed o% h"+an (lood, a# the &e!e +o!e ho'e%"l thei! o&n in 'a!tic"la! &o"ld (e al&a # !e#'ected4
I +"#t not %o!*et that '!ecio"# hal% o% the Re'"(lic, &hich +a)e# the ha''ine## o% the othe!, and &ho#e #&eetne## and '!"dence '!e#e!ve it# t!an."illit and vi!t"e- A+ia(le and vi!t"o"# da"*hte!# o% Geneva, it &ill (e al&a # the lot o% o"! #e0 to *ove!n o"!#- Ha'' a!e &e, #o lon* a# o"! cha#te in%l"ence, #olel e0e!ci#ed &ithin the li+it# o% con2"*al "nion, i# e0e!ted onl %o! the *lo! o% the State and the ha''ine## o% the '"(lic- It &a# th"# the %e+ale #e0 co++anded at S'a!ta, and th"# o" de#e!ve to co++and at Geneva- 3hat +an can (e #"ch a (a!(a!ian a# to !e#i#t the voice o% hono"! and !ea#on, co+in* %!o+ the li'# o% an a%%ectionate &i%e/ 3ho &o"ld not de#'i#e the vanitie# o% l"0"! , on (eholdin* the #i+'le and +ode#t atti!e &hich, %!o+ the l"#t!e it de!ive# %!o+ o", #ee+# the +o#t %avo"!a(le to (ea"t / It i# o"! ta#) to 'e!'et"ate, ( o"! in#in"atin* in%l"ence and o"! innocent and a+ia(le !"le, a !e#'ect %o! the la&# o% the State, and ha!+on a+on* the citi$en#- It i# o"!# to !e"nite divided %a+ilie# ( ha'' +a!!ia*e#, and, a(ove all thin*#, to co!!ect, ( the 'e!#"a#ive #&eetne## o% o"! le##on# and the +ode#t *!ace# o% o"! conve!#ation, tho#e e0t!ava*ancie# &hich o"! o"n* 'eo'le 'ic) "' in othe! co"nt!ie#, &hence, in#tead o% +an "#e%"l thin*# ( &hich the +i*ht '!o%it, the (!in* ho+e ha!dl an thin*, (e#ide# a '"e!ile ai! and a !idic"lo"# +anne!, ac."i!ed a+on* loo#e &o+en, ("t an ad+i!ation %o! I )no& not &hat #o7called *!ande"!, and 'alt! !eco+'en#e# %o! (ein* #lave#, &hich can neve! co+e nea! the !eal *!eatne## o% li(e!t - Contin"e, the!e%o!e, al&a # to (e &hat o" a!e, the cha#te *"a!dian# o% o"! +o!al#, and the #&eet #ec"!it %o! o"! 'eace, e0e!tin* on eve! occa#ion the '!ivile*e# o% the hea!t and o% nat"!e, in the inte!e#t# o% d"t and vi!t"eI %latte! + #el% that I #hall neve! (e '!oved to have (een +i#ta)en, in ("ildin* on #"ch a %o"ndation + ho'e# o% the *ene!al ha''ine## o% the citi$en# and the *lo! o% the Re'"(lic- It +"#t (e con%e##ed, ho&eve!, that &ith all the#e advanta*e#, it &ill not #hine &ith that l"#t!e, ( &hich the e e# o% +o#t +en a!e da$$led, a '"e!ile and %atal ta#te %o! &hich i# the +o#t +o!tal ene+ o% ha''ine## and li(e!t Let o"! di##ol"te o"th #ee) el#e&he!e li*ht 'lea#"!e# and lon* !e'entance#- Let o"! '!etende!# to ta#te ad+i!e el#e&he!e the *!ande"! o% 'alace#, the (ea"t o% e."i'a*e#, #"+'t"o"# %"!nit"!e, the 'o+' o% '"(lic ente!tain+ent#, and all the !e%ine+ent# o% l"0"! and e%%e+inac - Geneva (oa#t# nothin* ("t +en, #"ch a #i*ht ha# neve!thele## a val"e o% it# o&n, and tho#e &ho have a ta#te %o! it a!e &ell &o!th the ad+i!e!# o% all the !e#tDei*n, +o#t hono"!a(le, +a*ni%icent and #ove!ei*n lo!d#, to !eceive, and &ith e."al *oodne##, thi# !e#'ect%"l te#ti+on o% the inte!e#t I ta)e in o"! co++on '!o#'e!it - And, i% I have (een #o "nha'' a# to (e *"ilt o% an indi#c!eet t!an#'o!t in thi# *lo&in* e%%"#ion o% + hea!t, I (e#eech o" to 'a!don +e, and to att!i("te it to the tende! a%%ection o% a t!"e 'at!iot, and to the a!dent and le*iti+ate $eal o% a +an, &ho can i+a*ine %o! hi+#el% no *!eate! %elicit than to #ee o" ha'' Mo#t hono"!a(le, +a*ni%icent and #ove!ei*n lo!d#, I a+, &ith the +o#t '!o%o"nd !e#'ect, :o"! +o#t h"+(le and o(edient #e!vant and %ello&7citi$enA- A- ROUSSEAU Cha+(B! , A"ne 58, 5C4?
PREFACE
OF all h"+an #cience# the +o#t "#e%"l and +o#t i+'e!%ect a''ea!# to +e to (e that o% +an)ind1
and I &ill vent"!e to #a , the #in*le in#c!i'tion on the Te+'le o% Del'hi contained a '!ece't +o!e di%%ic"lt and +o!e i+'o!tant than i# to (e %o"nd in all the h"*e vol"+e# that +o!ali#t# have eve! &!itten- I con#ide! the #"(2ect o% the %ollo&in* di#co"!#e a# one o% the +o#t inte!e#tin* D
."e#tion# 'hilo#o'h can '!o'o#e, and "nha''il %o! "#, one o% the +o#t tho!n that 'hilo#o'he!# can have to #olve- Fo! ho& #hall &e )no& the #o"!ce o% ine."alit (et&een +en, i% &e do not (e*in ( )no&in* +an)ind/ And ho& #hall +an ho'e to #ee hi+#el% a# nat"!e +ade hi+, ac!o## all the chan*e# &hich the #"cce##ion o% 'lace and ti+e +"#t have '!od"ced in hi# o!i*inal con#tit"tion/ Ho& can he di#tin*"i#h &hat i# %"nda+ental in hi# nat"!e %!o+ the chan*e# and addition# &hich hi# ci!c"+#tance# and the advance# he ha# +ade have int!od"ced to +odi% hi# '!i+itive condition/ Li)e the #tat"e o% Gla"c"#, &hich &a# #o di#%i*"!ed ( ti+e, #ea# and te+'e#t#, that it loo)ed +o!e li)e a &ild (ea#t than a *od, the h"+an #o"l, alte!ed in #ociet ( a tho"#and ca"#e# 'e!'et"all !ec"!!in*, ( the ac."i#ition o% a +"ltit"de o% t!"th# and e!!o!#, ( the chan*e# ha''enin* to the con#tit"tion o% the (od , and ( the contin"al 2a!!in* o% the 'a##ion#, ha#, #o to #'ea), chan*ed in a''ea!ance, #o a# to (e ha!dl !eco*ni#a(le- In#tead o% a (ein*, actin* con#tantl %!o+ %i0ed and inva!ia(le '!inci'le#, in#tead o% that cele#tial and +a2e#tic #i+'licit , i+'!e##ed on it ( it# divine A"tho!, &e %ind in it onl the %!i*ht%"l cont!a#t o% 'a##ion +i#ta)in* it#el% %o! !ea#on, and o% "nde!#tandin* *!o&n deli!io"#It i# #till +o!e c!"el that, a# eve! advance +ade ( the h"+an #'ecie# !e+ove# it #till %a!the! %!o+ it# '!i+itive #tate, the +o!e di#cove!ie# &e +a)e, the +o!e &e de'!ive o"!#elve# o% the +ean# o% +a)in* the +o#t i+'o!tant o% all- Th"# it i#, in one #en#e, ( o"! ve! #t"d o% +an, that the )no&led*e o% hi+ i# '"t o"t o% o"! 'o&e!It i# ea# to 'e!ceive that it i# in the#e #"cce##ive chan*e# in the con#tit"tion o% +an that &e +"#t loo) %o! the o!i*in o% tho#e di%%e!ence# &hich no& di#tin*"i#h +en, &ho, it i# allo&ed, a!e a# e."al a+on* the+#elve# a# &e!e the ani+al# o% eve! )ind, (e%o!e 'h #ical ca"#e# had int!od"ced tho#e va!ietie# &hich a!e no& o(#e!va(le a+on* #o+e o% the+It i#, in %act, not to (e conceived that the#e '!i+a! chan*e#, ho&eve! the +a have a!i#en, co"ld have alte!ed, all at once and in the #a+e +anne!, eve! individ"al o% the #'ecie#- It i# nat"!al to thin) that, &hile the condition o% #o+e o% the+ *!e& (ette! o! &o!#e, and the &e!e ac."i!in* va!io"# *ood o! (ad ."alitie# not inhe!ent in thei! nat"!e, the!e &e!e othe!# &ho contin"ed a lon*e! ti+e in thei! o!i*inal condition- S"ch &a# do"(tle## the %i!#t #o"!ce o% the ine."alit o% +an)ind, &hich it i# +"ch ea#ie! to 'oint o"t th"# in *ene!al te!+#, than to a##i*n &ith '!eci#ion to it# act"al ca"#e#Let not + !eade!# the!e%o!e i+a*ine that I %latte! + #el% &ith havin* #een &hat it a''ea!# to +e #o di%%ic"lt to di#cove!- I have he!e ente!ed "'on ce!tain a!*"+ent#, and !i#)ed #o+e con2ect"!e#, le## in the ho'e o% #olvin* the di%%ic"lt , than &ith a vie& to th!o&in* #o+e li*ht "'on it, and !ed"cin* the ."e#tion to it# '!o'e! %o!+- Othe!# +a ea#il '!oceed %a!the! on the #a+e !oad, and et no one %ind it ve! ea# to *et to the end- Fo! it i# ( no +ean# a li*ht "nde!ta)in* to di#tin*"i#h '!o'e!l (et&een &hat i# o!i*inal and &hat i# a!ti%icial in the act"al nat"!e o% +an, o! to %o!+ a t!"e idea o% a #tate &hich no lon*e! e0i#t#, 'e!ha'# neve! did e0i#t, and '!o(a(l neve! &ill e0i#t, and o% &hich, it i#, neve!thele##, nece##a! to have t!"e idea#, in o!de! to %o!+ a '!o'e! 2"d*+ent o% o"! '!e#ent #tate- It !e."i!e#, indeed, +o!e 'hilo#o'h than can (e i+a*ined to ena(le an one to dete!+ine e0actl &hat '!eca"tion# he o"*ht to ta)e, in o!de! to +a)e #olid o(#e!vation# on thi# #"(2ect, and it a''ea!# to +e that a *ood #ol"tion o% the %ollo&in* '!o(le+ &o"ld (e not "n&o!th o% the A!i#totle# and 6lin # o% the '!e#ent a*e- What experiments would have to be made, to discover the natural man? And how are those experiments to be made in a state of society? So %a! a+ I %!o+ "nde!ta)in* to #olve thi# '!o(le+, that I thin) I have #"%%icientl con#ide!ed the #"(2ect, to vent"!e to decla!e (e%o!ehand that o"! *!eate#t 'hilo#o'he!# &o"ld not (e too *ood to di!ect #"ch e0'e!i+ent#, and o"! +o#t 'o&e!%"l #ove!ei*n# to +a)e the+- S"ch a co+(ination
&e have ve! little !ea#on to e0'ect, e#'eciall attended &ith the 'e!#eve!ance, o! !athe! #"cce##ion o% intelli*ence and *ood&ill nece##a! on (oth #ide# to #"cce##The#e inve#ti*ation#, &hich a!e #o di%%ic"lt to +a)e, and have (een hithe!to #o little tho"*ht o%, a!e, neve!thele##, the onl +ean# that !e+ain o% o(viatin* a +"ltit"de o% di%%ic"ltie# &hich de'!ive "# o% the )no&led*e o% the !eal %o"ndation# o% h"+an #ociet - It i# thi# i*no!ance o% the nat"!e o% +an, &hich ca#t# #o +"ch "nce!taint and o(#c"!it on the t!"e de%inition o% nat"!al !i*ht1 %o!, the idea o% !i*ht, #a # B"!la+a."i, and +o!e 'a!tic"la!l that o% nat"!al !i*ht, a!e idea# +ani%e#tl !elative to the nat"!e o% +an- It i# then %!o+ thi# ve! nat"!e it#el%, he *oe# on, %!o+ the con#tit"tion and #tate o% +an, that &e +"#t ded"ce the %i!#t '!inci'le# o% thi# #cience3e cannot #ee &itho"t #"!'!i#e and di#*"#t ho& little a*!ee+ent the!e i# (et&een the di%%e!ent a"tho!# &ho have t!eated thi# *!eat #"(2ect- A+on* the +o!e i+'o!tant &!ite!# the!e a!e #ca!cel t&o o% the #a+e +ind a(o"t it- Not to #'ea) o% the ancient 'hilo#o'he!#, &ho #ee+ to have done thei! (e#t '"!'o#el to cont!adict one anothe! on the +o#t %"nda+ental '!inci'le#, the Ro+an 2"!i#t# #"(2ected +an and the othe! ani+al# indi#c!i+inatel to the #a+e nat"!al la&, (eca"#e the con#ide!ed, "nde! that na+e, !athe! the la& &hich nat"!e i+'o#e# on he!#el% than that &hich #he '!e#c!i(e# to othe!#, o! !athe! (eca"#e o% the 'a!tic"la! acce'tation o% the te!+ la& a+on* tho#e 2"!i#t#, &ho #ee+ on thi# occa#ion to have "nde!#tood nothin* +o!e ( it than the *ene!al !elation# e#ta(li#hed ( nat"!e (et&een all ani+ated (ein*#, %o! thei! co++on '!e#e!vation- The +ode!n#, "nde!#tandin*, ( the te!+ la&, +e!el a !"le '!e#c!i(ed to a +o!al (ein*, that i# to #a intelli*ent, %!ee and con#ide!ed in hi# !elation# to othe! (ein*#, con#e."entl con%ine the 2"!i#diction o% nat"!al la& to +an, a# the onl ani+al endo&ed &ith !ea#on- B"t, de%inin* thi# la&, each a%te! hi# o&n %a#hion, the have e#ta(li#hed it on #"ch +eta'h #ical '!inci'le#, that the!e a!e ve! %e& 'e!#on# a+on* "# ca'a(le o% co+'!ehendin* the+, +"ch le## o% di#cove!in* the+ %o! the+#elve#- So that the de%inition# o% the#e lea!ned +en, all di%%e!in* in eve! thin* el#e, a*!ee onl in thi#, that it i# i+'o##i(le to co+'!ehend the la& o% nat"!e, and con#e."entl to o(e it, &itho"t (ein* a ve! #"(tle ca#"i#t and a '!o%o"nd +eta'h #ician- All &hich i# a# +"ch a# to #a that +an)ind +"#t have e+'lo ed, in the e#ta(li#h+ent o% #ociet , a ca'acit &hich i# ac."i!ed onl &ith *!eat di%%ic"lt , and ( ve! %e& 'e!#on#, even in a #tate o% #ociet Eno&in* #o little o% nat"!e, and a*!eein* #o ill a(o"t the +eanin* o% the &o!d law, it &o"ld (e di%%ic"lt %o! "# to %i0 on a *ood de%inition o% nat"!al la&- Th"# all the de%inition# &e +eet &ith in (oo)#, #ettin* a#ide thei! de%ect in 'oint o% "ni%o!+it , have et anothe! %a"lt, in that the a!e de!ived %!o+ +an )ind# o% )no&led*e, &hich +en do not 'o##e## nat"!all , and %!o+ advanta*e# o% &hich the can have no idea "ntil the have al!ead de'a!ted %!o+ that #tateMode!n &!ite!# (e*in ( in."i!in* &hat !"le# it &o"ld (e e0'edient %o! +en to a*!ee on %o! thei! co++on inte!e#t, and then *ive the na+e o% nat"!al la& to a collection o% the#e !"le#, &itho"t an othe! '!oo% than the *ood that &o"ld !e#"lt %!o+ thei! (ein* "nive!#all '!acti#ed- Thi# i# "ndo"(tedl a #i+'le &a o% +a)in* de%inition#, and o% e0'lainin* the nat"!e o% thin*# ( al+o#t a!(it!a! convenience#B"t a# lon* a# &e a!e i*no!ant o% the nat"!al +an, it i# in vain %o! "# to atte+'t to dete!+ine eithe! the la& o!i*inall '!e#c!i(ed to hi+, o! that &hich i# (e#t ada'ted to hi# con#tit"tion- All &e can )no& &ith an ce!taint !e#'ectin* thi# la& i# that, i% it i# to (e a la&, not onl the &ill# o% tho#e it o(li*e# +"#t (e #en#i(le o% thei! #"(+i##ion to it, ("t al#o, to (e nat"!al, it +"#t co+e di!ectl %!o+ the voice o% nat"!eTh!o&in* a#ide, the!e%o!e, all tho#e #cienti%ic (oo)#, &hich teach "# onl to #ee +en #"ch a# the have +ade the+#elve#, and conte+'latin* the %i!#t and +o#t #i+'le o'e!ation# o% the h"+an #o"l, I thin) I can 'e!ceive in it t&o '!inci'le# '!io! to !ea#on, one o% the+ dee'l inte!e#tin* "# in o"! o&n &el%a!e and '!e#e!vation, and the othe! e0citin* a nat"!al !e'"*nance at #eein* an F
othe! #en#i(le (ein*, and 'a!tic"la!l an o% o"! o&n #'ecie#, #"%%e! 'ain o! death- It i# %!o+ the a*!ee+ent and co+(ination &hich the "nde!#tandin* i# in a 'o#ition to e#ta(li#h (et&een the#e t&o '!inci'le#, &itho"t it# (ein* nece##a! to int!od"ce that o% #ocia(ilit , that all the !"le# o% nat"!al !i*ht a''ea! to +e to (e de!ived G !"le# &hich o"! !ea#on i# a%te!&a!d# o(li*ed to e#ta(li#h on othe! %o"ndation#, &hen ( it# #"cce##ive develo'+ent# it ha# (een led to #"''!e## nat"!e it#el%In '!oceedin* th"#, &e #hall not (e o(li*ed to +a)e +an a 'hilo#o'he! (e%o!e he i# a +an- Hi# d"tie# to&a!d othe!# a!e not dictated to hi+ onl ( the late! le##on# o% &i#do+, and, #o lon* a# he doe# not !e#i#t the inte!nal i+'"l#e o% co+'a##ion, he &ill neve! h"!t an othe! +an, no! even an #entient (ein*, e0ce't on tho#e la&%"l occa#ion# on &hich hi# o&n '!e#e!vation i# conce!ned and he i# o(li*ed to *ive hi+#el% the '!e%e!ence- B thi# +ethod al#o &e '"t an end to the ti+e7 hono"!ed di#'"te# conce!nin* the 'a!tici'ation o% ani+al# in nat"!al la&1 %o! it i# clea! that, (ein* de#tit"te o% intelli*ence and li(e!t , the cannot !eco*ni#e that la&, a# the 'a!ta)e, ho&eve!, in #o+e +ea#"!e o% o"! nat"!e, in con#e."ence o% the #en#i(ilit &ith &hich the a!e endo&ed, the o"*ht to 'a!ta)e o% nat"!al !i*ht, #o that +an)ind i# #"(2ected to a )ind o% o(li*ation even to&a!d the (!"te#- It a''ea!#, in %act, that i% I a+ (o"nd to do no in2"! to + %ello&7c!eat"!e#, thi# i# le## (eca"#e the a!e !ational than (eca"#e the a!e #entient (ein*#1 and thi# ."alit , (ein* co++on (oth to +en and (ea#t#, o"*ht to entitle the latte! at lea#t to the '!ivile*e o% not (ein* &antonl ill7t!eated ( the %o!+e!The ve! #t"d o% the o!i*inal +an, o% hi# !eal &ant#, and the %"nda+ental '!inci'le# o% hi# d"t , i# (e#ide# the onl '!o'e! +ethod &e can ado't to o(viate all the di%%ic"ltie# &hich the o!i*in o% +o!al ine."alit '!e#ent#, on the t!"e %o"ndation# o% the (od 'olitic, on the !eci'!ocal !i*ht# o% it# +e+(e!#, and on +an othe! #i+ila! to'ic# e."all i+'o!tant and o(#c"!eI% &e loo) at h"+an #ociet &ith a cal+ and di#inte!e#ted e e, it #ee+#, at %i!#t, to #ho& "# onl the violence o% the 'o&e!%"l and the o''!e##ion o% the &ea)- The +ind i# #hoc)ed at the c!"elt o% the one, o! i# ind"ced to la+ent the (lindne## o% the othe!, and a# nothin* i# le## 'e!+anent in li%e than tho#e e0te!nal !elation#, &hich a!e +o!e %!e."entl '!od"ced ( accident than &i#do+, and &hich a!e called &ea)ne## o! 'o&e!, !iche# o! 'ove!t , all h"+an in#tit"tion# #ee+ at %i!#t *lance to (e %o"nded +e!el on (an)# o% #hi%tin* #and- It i# onl ( ta)in* a clo#e! loo), and !e+ovin* the d"#t and #and that #"!!o"nd the edi%ice, that &e 'e!ceive the i++ova(le (a#i# on &hich it i# !ai#ed, and lea!n to !e#'ect it# %o"ndation#- No&, &itho"t a #e!io"# #t"d o% +an, hi# nat"!al %ac"ltie# and thei! #"cce##ive develo'+ent, &e #hall neve! (e a(le to +a)e the#e nece##a! di#tinction#, o! to #e'a!ate, in the act"al con#tit"tion o% thin*#, that &hich i# the e%%ect o% the divine &ill, %!o+ the innovation# atte+'ted ( h"+an a!t- The 'olitical and +o!al inve#ti*ation#, the!e%o!e, to &hich the i+'o!tant ."e#tion (e%o!e "# lead#, a!e in eve! !e#'ect "#e%"l, &hile the h 'othetical hi#to! o% *ove!n+ent# a%%o!d# a le##on e."all in#t!"ctive to +an)indIn con#ide!in* &hat &e #ho"ld have (eco+e, had &e (een le%t to o"!#elve#, &e #ho"ld lea!n to (le## Hi+, &ho#e *!acio"# hand, co!!ectin* o"! in#tit"tion#, and *ivin* the+ an i++ova(le (a#i#, ha# '!evented tho#e di#o!de!# &hich &o"ld othe!&i#e have a!i#en %!o+ the+, and ca"#ed o"! ha''ine## to co+e %!o+ tho#e ve! #o"!ce# &hich #ee+ed li)el to involve "# in +i#e! -
IT i# o% +an that I have to #'ea), and the ."e#tion I a+ inve#ti*atin* #ho&# +e that it i# to +en
that I +"#t add!e## + #el%1 %o! ."e#tion# o% thi# #o!t a!e not a#)ed ( tho#e &ho a!e a%!aid to hono"! t!"th- I #hall then con%identl "'hold the ca"#e o% h"+anit (e%o!e the &i#e +en &ho invite +e to do #o, and #hall not (e di##ati#%ied i% I ac."it + #el% in a +anne! &o!th o% + #"(2ect and o% + 2"d*e#I conceive that the!e a!e t&o )ind# o% ine."alit a+on* the h"+an #'ecie#, one, &hich I call nat"!al o! 'h #ical, (eca"#e it i# e#ta(li#hed ( nat"!e, and con#i#t# in a di%%e!ence o% a*e, health, (odil #t!en*th, and the ."alitie# o% the +ind o! o% the #o"l1 and anothe!, &hich +a (e called +o!al o! 'olitical ine."alit , (eca"#e it de'end# on a )ind o% convention, and i# e#ta(li#hed, o! at lea#t a"tho!i#ed ( the con#ent o% +en- Thi# latte! con#i#t# o% the di%%e!ent '!ivile*e#, &hich #o+e +en en2o to the '!e2"dice o% othe!#, #"ch a# that o% (ein* +o!e !ich, +o!e hono"!ed, +o!e 'o&e!%"l o! even in a 'o#ition to e0act o(edienceIt i# "#ele## to a#) &hat i# the #o"!ce o% nat"!al ine."alit , (eca"#e that ."e#tion i# an#&e!ed ( the #i+'le de%inition o% the &o!d- A*ain, it i# #till +o!e "#ele## to in."i!e &hethe! the!e i# an e##ential connection (et&een the t&o ine."alitie#, %o! thi# &o"ld (e onl a#)in*, in othe! &o!d#, &hethe! tho#e &ho co++and a!e nece##a!il (ette! than tho#e &ho o(e , and i% #t!en*th o% (od o! o% +ind, &i#do+ o! vi!t"e a!e al&a # %o"nd in 'a!tic"la! individ"al#, in '!o'o!tion to thei! 'o&e! o! &ealth1 a ."e#tion %it 'e!ha'# to (e di#c"##ed ( #lave# in the hea!in* o% thei! +a#te!#, ("t hi*hl "n(eco+in* to !ea#ona(le and %!ee +en in #ea!ch o% the t!"thThe #"(2ect o% the '!e#ent di#co"!#e, the!e%o!e, i# +o!e '!eci#el thi#- To +a!), in the '!o*!e## o% thin*#, the +o+ent at &hich !i*ht too) the 'lace o% violence and nat"!e (eca+e #"(2ect to la&, and to e0'lain ( &hat #e."ence o% +i!acle# the #t!on* ca+e to #"(+it to #e!ve the &ea), and the 'eo'le to '"!cha#e i+a*ina! !e'o#e at the e0'en#e o% !eal %elicit The 'hilo#o'he!#, &ho have in."i!ed into the %o"ndation# o% #ociet , have all %elt the nece##it o% *oin* (ac) to a #tate o% nat"!e, ("t not one o% the+ ha# *ot the!e- So+e o% the+ have not he#itated to a#c!i(e to +an, in #"ch a #tate, the idea o% 2"#t and "n2"#t, &itho"t t!o"(lin* the+#elve# to #ho& that he +"#t (e 'o##e##ed o% #"ch an idea, o! that it co"ld (e o% an "#e to hi+- Othe!# have #'o)en o% the nat"!al !i*ht o% eve! +an to )ee' &hat (elon*# to hi+, &itho"t e0'lainin* &hat the +eant ( belongs- Othe!# a*ain, (e*innin* ( *ivin* the #t!on* a"tho!it ove! the &ea), '!oceeded di!ectl to the (i!th o% *ove!n+ent, &itho"t !e*a!d to the ti+e that +"#t have ela'#ed (e%o!e the +eanin* o% the &o!d# a"tho!it and *ove!n+ent co"ld have e0i#ted a+on* +en- Eve! one o% the+, in #ho!t, con#tantl d&ellin* on &ant#, avidit , o''!e##ion, de#i!e# and '!ide, ha# t!an#%e!!ed to the #tate o% nat"!e idea# &hich &e!e ac."i!ed in #ociet , #o that, in #'ea)in* o% the #ava*e, the de#c!i(ed the #ocial +an- It ha# not even ente!ed into the head# o% +o#t o% o"! &!ite!# to do"(t &hethe! the #tate o% nat"!e eve! e0i#ted, ("t it i# clea! %!o+ the Hol Sc!i't"!e# that the %i!#t +an, havin* !eceived hi# "nde!#tandin* and co++and+ent# i++ediatel %!o+ God, &a# not hi+#el% in #"ch a #tate, and that, i% &e *ive #"ch c!edit to the &!itin*# o% Mo#e# a# eve! Ch!i#tian 'hilo#o'he! o"*ht to *ive, &e +"#t den that, even (e%o!e the del"*e, +en &e!e eve! in the '"!e #tate o% nat"!e, "nle##, indeed, the %ell (ac) into it %!o+ #o+e ve! e0t!ao!dina! ci!c"+#tance, a 'a!ado0 &hich it &o"ld (e ve! e+(a!!a##in* to de%end, and ."ite i+'o##i(le to '!oveLet "# (e*in then ( la in* %act# a#ide, a# the do not a%%ect the ."e#tion- The inve#ti*ation# &e +a ente! into, in t!eatin* thi# #"(2ect, +"#t not (e con#ide!ed a# hi#to!ical t!"th#, ("t onl a# +e!e conditional and h 'othetical !ea#onin*#, !athe! calc"lated to e0'lain the nat"!e o% thin*#, than to a#ce!tain thei! act"al o!i*in, 2"#t li)e the h 'othe#e# &hich o"! 'h #ici#t# dail %o!+ !e#'ectin* the %o!+ation o% the &o!ld- Reli*ion co++and# "# to (elieve that, God Hi+#el% havin* ta)en +en o"t o% a #tate o% nat"!e i++ediatel a%te! the c!eation, the a!e "ne."al onl 5I
(eca"#e it i# Hi# &ill the #ho"ld (e #o1 ("t it doe# not %o!(id "# to %o!+ con2ect"!e# (a#ed #olel on the nat"!e o% +an, and the (ein*# a!o"nd hi+, conce!nin* &hat +i*ht have (eco+e o% the h"+an !ace, i% it had (een le%t to it#el%- Thi# then i# the ."e#tion a#)ed +e, and that &hich I '!o'o#e to di#c"## in the %ollo&in* di#co"!#e- A# + #"(2ect inte!e#t# +an)ind in *ene!al, I #hall endeavo"! to +a)e "#e o% a #t le ada'ted to all nation#, o! !athe!, %o!*ettin* ti+e and 'lace, to attend onl to +en to &ho+ I a+ #'ea)in*- I #hall #"''o#e + #el% in the L ce"+ o% Athen#, !e'eatin* the le##on# o% + +a#te!#, &ith 6lato and Jenoc!ate# %o! 2"d*e#, and the &hole h"+an !ace %o! a"dienceO +an, o% &hateve! co"nt! o" a!e, and &hateve! o"! o'inion# +a (e, (ehold o"! hi#to! , #"ch a# I have tho"*ht to !ead it, not in (oo)# &!itten ( o"! %ello&7c!eat"!e#, &ho a!e lia!#, ("t in nat"!e, &hich neve! lie#- All that co+e# %!o+ he! &ill (e t!"e, no! &ill o" +eet &ith an thin* %al#e, "nle## I have invol"nta!il '"t in #o+ethin* o% + o&n- The ti+e# o% &hich I a+ *oin* to #'ea) a!e ve! !e+ote1 ho& +"ch a!e o" chan*ed %!o+ &hat o" once &e!e< It i#, #o to #'ea), the li%e o% o"! #'ecie# &hich I a+ *oin* to &!ite, a%te! the ."alitie# &hich o" have !eceived, &hich o"! ed"cation and ha(it# +a have de'!aved, ("t cannot have enti!el de#t!o ed- The!e i#, I %eel, an a*e at &hich the individ"al +an &o"ld &i#h to #to'1 o" a!e a(o"t to in."i!e a(o"t the a*e at &hich o" &o"ld have li)ed o"! &hole #'ecie# to #tand #till- Di#contented &ith o"! '!e#ent #tate, %o! !ea#on# &hich th!eaten o"! "n%o!t"nate de#cendant# &ith #till *!eate! di#content, o" &ill 'e!ha'# &i#h it &e!e in o"! 'o&e! to *o (ac), and thi# %eelin* #ho"ld (e a 'ane* !ic on o"! %i!#t ance#to!#, a c!itici#+ o% o"! conte+'o!a!ie#, and a te!!o! to the "n%o!t"nate# &ho &ill co+e a%te! o"-
THE FIRST PART IM6ORTANT a# it +a (e, in o!de! to 2"d*e !i*htl o% the nat"!al #tate o% +an, to con#ide! hi+
%!o+ hi# o!i*in, and to e0a+ine hi+, a# it &e!e, in the e+(! o o% hi# #'ecie#, I #hall not %ollo& hi# o!*ani#ation th!o"*h it# #"cce##ive develo'+ent#, no! #hall I #ta to in."i!e &hat hi# ani+al # #te+ +"#t have (een at the (e*innin*, in o!de! to (eco+e at len*th &hat it act"all i#- I #hall not a#) &hethe! hi# lon* nail# &e!e at %i!#t, a# A!i#totle #"''o#e#, onl c!oo)ed talon#, &hethe! hi# &hole (od , li)e that o% a (ea!, &a# not cove!ed &ith hai!, o! &hethe! the %act that he &al)ed "'on all %o"!#, &ith hi# loo)# di!ected to&a!d the ea!th, con%ined to a ho!i$on o% a %e& 'ace#, did not at once 'oint o"t the nat"!e and li+it# o% hi# idea#- On thi# #"(2ect I co"ld %o!+ none ("t va*"e and al+o#t i+a*ina! con2ect"!e#- Co+'a!ative anato+ ha# a# et +ade too little '!o*!e##, and the o(#e!vation# o% nat"!ali#t# a!e too "nce!tain to a%%o!d an ade."ate (a#i# %o! an #olid !ea#onin*- So that, &itho"t havin* !eco"!#e to the #"'e!nat"!al in%o!+ation *iven "# on thi# head, o! 'a in* an !e*a!d to the chan*e# &hich +"#t have ta)en 'lace in the inte!nal, a# &ell a# the e0te!nal, con%o!+ation o% +an, a# he a''lied hi# li+(# to ne& "#e#, and %ed hi+#el% on ne& )ind# o% %ood, I #hall #"''o#e hi# con%o!+ation to have (een at all ti+e# &hat it a''ea!# to "# at thi# da , that he al&a # &al)ed on t&o le*#, +ade "#e o% hi# hand# a# &e do, di!ected hi# loo)# ove! all nat"!e, and +ea#"!ed &ith hi# e e# the va#t e0'an#e o% HeavenI% &e #t!i' thi# (ein*, th"# con#tit"ted, o% all the #"'e!nat"!al *i%t# he +a have !eceived, and all the a!ti%icial %ac"ltie# he can have ac."i!ed onl ( a lon* '!oce##, i% &e con#ide! hi+, in a &o!d, 2"#t a# he +"#t have co+e %!o+ the hand# o% nat"!e, &e (ehold in hi+ an ani+al &ea)e! than #o+e, and le## a*ile than othe!#, ("t, ta)in* hi+ all !o"nd, the +o#t advanta*eo"#l o!*ani#ed o% an - I #ee hi+ #ati#% in* hi# h"n*e! at the %i!#t oa), and #la)in* hi# thi!#t at the %i!#t (!oo), %indin* hi# (ed at the %oot o% the t!ee &hich a%%o!ded hi+ a !e'a#t, and, &ith that, all hi# &ant# #"''lied3hile the ea!th &a# le%t to it# nat"!al %e!tilit and cove!ed &ith i++en#e %o!e#t#, &ho#e t!ee# &e!e neve! +"tilated ( the a0e, it &o"ld '!e#ent on eve! #ide (oth #"#tenance and #helte! %o! 55
eve! #'ecie# o% ani+al- Men, di#'e!#ed "' and do&n a+on* the !e#t, &o"ld o(#e!ve and i+itate thei! ind"#t! , and th"# attain even to the in#tinct o% the (ea#t#, &ith the advanta*e that, &he!ea# eve! #'ecie# o% (!"te# &a# con%ined to one 'a!tic"la! in#tinct, +an, &ho 'e!ha'# ha# not an one 'ec"lia! to hi+#el%, &o"ld a''!o'!iate the+ all, and live "'on +o#t o% tho#e di%%e!ent %ood# &hich othe! ani+al# #ha!ed a+on* the+#elve#, and th"# &o"ld %ind hi# #"(#i#tence +"ch +o!e ea#il than an o% the !e#tAcc"#to+ed %!o+ thei! in%anc to the incle+encie# o% the &eathe! and the !i*o"! o% the #ea#on#, in"!ed to %ati*"e, and %o!ced, na)ed and "na!+ed, to de%end the+#elve# and thei! '!e %!o+ othe! %e!ocio"# ani+al#, o! to e#ca'e the+ ( %li*ht, +en &o"ld ac."i!e a !o("#t and al+o#t "nalte!a(le con#tit"tion- The child!en, (!in*in* &ith the+ into the &o!ld the e0cellent con#tit"tion o% thei! 'a!ent#, and %o!ti% in* it ( the ve! e0e!ci#e# &hich %i!#t '!od"ced it, &o"ld th"# ac."i!e all the vi*o"! o% &hich the h"+an %!a+e i# ca'a(le- Nat"!e in thi# ca#e t!eat# the+ e0actl a# S'a!ta t!eated the child!en o% he! citi$en#1 tho#e &ho co+e &ell %o!+ed into the &o!ld #he !ende!# #t!on* and !o("#t, and all the !e#t #he de#t!o #, di%%e!in* in thi# !e#'ect %!o+ o"! +ode!n co++"nitie#, in &hich the State, ( +a)in* child!en a ("!den to thei! 'a!ent#, )ill# the+ indi#c!i+inatel (e%o!e the a!e (o!nThe (od o% a #ava*e +an (ein* the onl in#t!"+ent he "nde!#tand#, he "#e# it %o! va!io"# '"!'o#e#, o% &hich o"!#, %o! &ant o% '!actice, a!e inca'a(le1 %o! o"! ind"#t! de'!ive# "# o% that %o!ce and a*ilit , &hich nece##it o(li*e# hi+ to ac."i!e- I% he had had an a0e, &o"ld he have (een a(le &ith hi# na)ed a!+ to (!ea) #o la!*e a (!anch %!o+ a t!ee/ I% he had had a #lin*, &o"ld he have (een a(le to th!o& a #tone &ith #o *!eat velocit / I% he had had a ladde!, &o"ld he have (een #o ni+(le in cli+(in* a t!ee/ I% he had had a ho!#e, &o"ld he have (een hi+#el% #o #&i%t o% %oot/ Give civili#ed +an ti+e to *athe! all hi# +achine# a(o"t hi+, and he &ill no do"(t ea#il (eat the #ava*e, ("t i% o" &o"ld #ee a #till +o!e "ne."al conte#t, #et the+ to*ethe! na)ed and "na!+ed, and o" &ill #oon #ee the advanta*e o% havin* all o"! %o!ce# con#tantl at o"! di#'o#al, o% (ein* al&a # '!e'a!ed %o! eve! event, and o% ca!! in* one@# #el%, a# it &e!e, 'e!'et"all &hole and enti!e a(o"t oneHo((e# contend# that +an i# nat"!all int!e'id, and i# intent onl "'on attac)in* and %i*htin*Anothe! ill"#t!io"# 'hilo#o'he! hold# the o''o#ite, and C"+(e!land and 6"%%endo!% al#o a%%i!+ that nothin* i# +o!e ti+id and %ea!%"l than +an in the #tate o% nat"!e, that he i# al&a # in a t!e+(le, and !ead to %l at the lea#t noi#e o! the #li*hte#t +ove+ent- Thi# +a (e t!"e o% thin*# he doe# not )no&, and I do not do"(t hi# (ein* te!!i%ied ( eve! novelt that '!e#ent# it#el%, &hen he neithe! )no&# the 'h #ical *ood o! evil he +a e0'ect %!o+ it, no! can +a)e a co+'a!i#on (et&een hi# o&n #t!en*th and the dan*e!# he i# a(o"t to enco"nte!- S"ch ci!c"+#tance#, ho&eve!, !a!el occ"! in a #tate o% nat"!e, in &hich all thin*# '!oceed in a "ni%o!+ +anne!, and the %ace o% the ea!th i# not #"(2ect to tho#e #"dden and contin"al chan*e# &hich a!i#e %!o+ the 'a##ion# and ca'!ice# o% (odie# o% +en livin* to*ethe!- B"t #ava*e +an, livin* di#'e!#ed a+on* othe! ani+al#, and %indin* hi+#el% (eti+e# in a #it"ation to +ea#"!e hi# #t!en*th &ith thei!#, #oon co+e# to co+'a!e hi+#el% &ith the+, and, 'e!ceivin* that he #"!'a##e# the+ +o!e in ad!oitne## than the #"!'a## hi+ in #t!en*th, lea!n# to (e no lon*e! a%!aid o% the+Set a (ea!, o! a &ol%, a*ain#t a !o("#t, a*ile, and !e#ol"te #ava*e, a# the all a!e, a!+ed &ith #tone# and a *ood c"d*el, and o" &ill #ee that the dan*e! &ill (e at lea#t on (oth #ide#, and that, a%te! a %e& t!ial# o% thi# )ind, &ild (ea#t#, &hich a!e not %ond o% attac)in* each othe!, &ill not (e at all !ead to attac) +an, &ho+ the &ill have %o"nd to (e a# &ild and %e!ocio"# a# the+#elve#3ith !e*a!d to #"ch ani+al# a# have !eall +o!e #t!en*th than +an ha# ad!oitne##, he i# in the #a+e #it"ation a# all &ea)e! ani+al#, &hich not&ith#tandin* a!e #till a(le to #"(#i#t, e0ce't indeed that he ha# the advanta*e that, (ein* e."all #&i%t o% %oot, and %indin* an al+o#t ce!tain 'lace o% !e%"*e in eve! t!ee, he i# at li(e!t to ta)e o! leave it at eve! enco"nte!, and th"# to %i*ht o! %l , a# he choo#e#- Add to thi# that it doe# not a''ea! that an ani+al nat"!all +a)e# 58
&a! on +an, e0ce't in ca#e o% #el%7de%ence o! e0ce##ive h"n*e!, o! (et!a # an o% tho#e violent anti'athie#, &hich #ee+ to indicate that one #'ecie# i# intended ( nat"!e %o! the %ood o% anothe!Thi# i# do"(tle## &h ne*!oe# and #ava*e# a!e #o little a%!aid o% the &ild (ea#t# the +a +eet in the &ood#- The Ca!ai(# o% Vene$"ela a+on* othe!# live in thi# !e#'ect in a(#ol"te #ec"!it and &itho"t the #+alle#t inconvenience- Tho"*h the a!e al+o#t na)ed, F!anci# Co!!Bal tell# "#, the e0'o#e the+#elve# %!eel in the &ood#, a!+ed onl &ith (o&# and a!!o&#, ("t no one ha# eve! hea!d o% one o% the+ (ein* devo"!ed ( &ild (ea#t#B"t +an ha# othe! ene+ie# +o!e %o!+ida(le, a*ain#t &hich i# i# not '!ovided &ith #"ch +ean# o% de%ence1 the#e a!e the nat"!al in%i!+itie# o% in%anc , old a*e, and illne## o% eve! )ind, +elanchol '!oo%# o% o"! &ea)ne##, o% &hich the t&o %i!#t a!e co++on to all ani+al#, and the la#t (elon*# chie%l to +an in a #tate o% #ociet - 3ith !e*a!d to in%anc , it i# o(#e!va(le that the +othe!, ca!! in* he! child al&a # &ith he!, can n"!#e it &ith +"ch *!eate! ea#e than the %e+ale# o% +an othe! ani+al#, &hich a!e %o!ced to (e 'e!'et"all *oin* and co+in*, &ith *!eat %ati*"e, one &a to %ind #"(#i#tence, and anothe! to #"c)le o! %eed thei! o"n*- It i# t!"e that i% the &o+an ha''en# to 'e!i#h, the in%ant i# in *!eat dan*e! o% 'e!i#hin* &ith he!, ("t thi# !i#) i# co++on to +an othe! #'ecie# o% ani+al#, &ho#e o"n* ta)e a lon* ti+e (e%o!e the a!e a(le to '!ovide %o! the+#elve#- And i% o"! in%anc i# lon*e! than thei!#, o"! live# a!e lon*e! in '!o'o!tion, #o that all thin*# a!e in thi# !e#'ect %ai!l e."al, tho"*h the!e a!e othe! !"le# to (e con#ide!ed !e*a!din* the d"!ation o% the %i!#t 'e!iod o% li%e, and the n"+(e! o% o"n*, &hich do not a%%ect the '!e#ent #"(2ect- In old a*e, &hen +en a!e le## active and 'e!#'i!e little, the need %o! %ood di+ini#he# &ith the a(ilit to '!ovide it- A# the #ava*e #tate al#o '!otect# the+ %!o+ *o"t and !he"+ati#+, and old a*e i#, o% all ill#, that &hich h"+an aid can lea#t alleviate, the cea#e to (e, &itho"t othe!# 'e!ceivin* that the a!e no +o!e, and al+o#t &itho"t 'e!ceivin* it the+#elve#3ith !e#'ect to #ic)ne##, I #hall not !e'eat the vain and %al#e decla+ation# &hich +o#t health 'eo'le '!ono"nce a*ain#t +edicine, ("t I #hall a#) i% an #olid o(#e!vation# have (een +ade %!o+ &hich it +a (e 2"#tl concl"ded that, in the co"nt!ie# &he!e the a!t o% +edicine i# +o#t ne*lected, the +ean d"!ation o% +an@# li%e i# le## than in tho#e &he!e it i# +o#t c"ltivated- Ho& indeed can thi# (e the ca#e, i% &e (!in* on o"!#elve# +o!e di#ea#e# than +edicine can %"!ni#h !e+edie#/ The *!eat ine."alit in +anne! o% livin*, the e0t!e+e idlene## o% #o+e, and the e0ce##ive la(o"! o% othe!#, the ea#ine## o% e0citin* and *!ati% in* o"! #en#"al a''etite#, the too e0."i#ite %ood# o% the &ealth &hich ove!heat and %ill the+ &ith indi*e#tion, and, on the othe! hand, the "n&hole#o+e %ood o% the 'oo!, o%ten, (ad a# it i#, in#"%%icient %o! thei! need#, &hich ind"ce# the+, &hen o''o!t"nit o%%e!#, to eat vo!acio"#l and ove!cha!*e thei! #to+ach#, all the#e, to*ethe! &ith #ittin* "' late, and e0ce##e# o% eve! )ind, i++ode!ate t!an#'o!t# o% eve! 'a##ion, %ati*"e, +ental e0ha"#tion, the inn"+e!a(le 'ain# and an0ietie# in#e'a!a(le %!o+ eve! condition o% li%e, ( &hich the +ind o% +an i# ince##antl to!+ented, the#e a!e too %atal '!oo%# that the *!eate! 'a!t o% o"! ill# a!e o% o"! o&n +a)in*, and that &e +i*ht have avoided the+ nea!l all ( adhe!in* to that #i+'le, "ni%o!+ and #olita! +anne! o% li%e &hich nat"!e '!e#c!i(ed- I% #he de#tined +an to (e health , I vent"!e to decla!e that a #tate o% !e%lection i# a #tate cont!a! to nat"!e, and that a thin)in* +an i# a de'!aved ani+al- 3hen &e thin) o% the *ood con#tit"tion o% the #ava*e#, at lea#t o% tho#e &ho+ &e have not !"ined &ith o"! #'i!it"o"# li."o!#, and !e%lect that the a!e t!o"(led &ith ha!dl an di#o!de!#, #ave &o"nd# and old a*e, &e a!e te+'ted to (elieve that, in %ollo&in* the hi#to! o% civil #ociet , &e #hall (e tellin* al#o that o% h"+an #ic)ne##- S"ch, at lea#t, &a# the o'inion o% 6lato, &ho in%e!!ed %!o+ ce!tain !e+edie# '!e#c!i(ed, o! a''!oved, ( 6odali!i"# and Machaon at the #ie*e o% T!o , that #eve!al #ic)ne##e# &hich the#e !e+edie# *ave !i#e to in hi# ti+e, &e!e not then )no&n to +an)ind1 and Cel#"# tell# "# that diet, &hich i# no& #o nece##a! , &a# %i!#t invented ( Hi''oc!ate#-
5;
Bein* #"(2ect the!e%o!e to #o %e& ca"#e# o% #ic)ne##, +an, in the #tate o% nat"!e, can have no need o% !e+edie#, and #till le## o% 'h #ician#1 no! i# the h"+an !ace in thi# !e#'ect &o!#e o%% than othe! ani+al#, and it i# ea# to lea!n %!o+ h"nte!# &hethe! the +eet &ith +an in%i!+ ani+al# in the co"!#e o% the cha#e- It i# ce!tain the %!e."entl +eet &ith #"ch a# ca!! the +a!)# o% havin* (een con#ide!a(l &o"nded, &ith +an that have had (one# o! even li+(# (!o)en, et have (een healed &itho"t an othe! #"!*ical a##i#tance than that o% ti+e, o! an othe! !e*i+en than that o% thei! o!dina! li%e- At the #a+e ti+e thei! c"!e# #ee+ not to have (een le## 'e!%ect, %o! thei! not havin* (een to!t"!ed ( inci#ion#, 'oi#oned &ith d!"*#, o! &a#ted ( %a#tin*- In #ho!t, ho&eve! "#e%"l +edicine, '!o'e!l ad+ini#te!ed, +a (e a+on* "#, it i# ce!tain that, i% the #ava*e, &hen he i# #ic) and le%t to hi+#el%, ha# nothin* to ho'e ("t %!o+ nat"!e, he ha#, on the othe! hand, nothin* to %ea! ("t %!o+ hi# di#ea#e, &hich !ende!# hi# #it"ation o%ten '!e%e!a(le to o"! o&n3e #ho"ld (e&a!e, the!e%o!e, o% con%o"ndin* the #ava*e +an &ith the +en &e have dail (e%o!e o"! e e#- Nat"!e t!eat# all the ani+al# le%t to he! ca!e &ith a '!edilection that #ee+# to #ho& ho& 2ealo"# #he i# o% that !i*ht- The ho!#e, the cat, the ("ll, and even the a## a!e *ene!all o% *!eate! #tat"!e, and al&a # +o!e !o("#t, and have +o!e vi*o"!, #t!en*th and co"!a*e, &hen the !"n &ild in the %o!e#t# than &hen (!ed in the #tall- B (eco+in* do+e#ticated, the lo#e hal% the#e advanta*e#, and it #ee+# a# i% all o"! ca!e to %eed and t!eat the+ &ell #e!ve# onl to de'!ave the+- It i# th"# &ith +an al#o1 a# he (eco+e# #ocia(le and a #lave, he *!o&# &ea), ti+id and #e!vile, hi# e%%e+inate &a o% li%e totall ene!vate# hi# #t!en*th and co"!a*e- To thi# it +a (e added that the!e i# #till a *!eate! di%%e!ence (et&een #ava*e and civili#ed +an, than (et&een &ild and ta+e (ea#t#1 %o! +en and (!"te# havin* (een t!eated ali)e ( nat"!e, the #eve!al convenience# in &hich +en ind"l*e the+#elve# #till +o!e than the do thei! (ea#t#, a!e #o +an additional ca"#e# o% thei! dee'e! de*ene!ac It i# not the!e%o!e #o *!eat a +i#%o!t"ne to the#e '!i+itive +en, no! #o *!eat an o(#tacle to thei! '!e#e!vation, that the *o na)ed, have no d&ellin*# and lac) all the #"'e!%l"itie# &hich &e thin) #o nece##a! - I% thei! #)in# a!e not cove!ed &ith hai!, the have no need o% #"ch cove!in* in &a!+ cli+ate#, and, in cold co"nt!ie#, the #oon lea!n to a''!o'!iate the #)in# o% the (ea#t# the have ove!co+e- I% the have ("t t&o le*# to !"n &ith, the have t&o a!+# to de%end the+#elve# &ith, and '!ovide %o! thei! &ant#- Thei! child!en a!e #lo&l and &ith di%%ic"lt ta"*ht to &al), ("t thei! +othe!# a!e a(le to ca!! the+ &ith ea#e, an advanta*e &hich othe! ani+al# lac), a# the +othe!, i% '"!#"ed, i# %o!ced eithe! to a(andon he! o"n*, o! to !e*"late he! 'ace ( thei!#Unle##, in #ho!t, &e #"''o#e a #in*"la! and %o!t"ito"# conc"!!ence o% ci!c"+#tance# o% &hich I #hall #'ea) late!, and &hich &o"ld (e "nli)el to e0i#t, it i# 'lain in eve! #tate o% the ca#e, that the +an &ho %i!#t +ade hi+#el% clothe# o! a d&ellin* &a# %"!ni#hin* hi+#el% &ith thin*# not at all nece##a! , %o! he had till then done &itho"t the+, and the!e i# no !ea#on &h he #ho"ld not have (een a(le to '"t "' in +anhood &ith the #a+e )ind o% li%e a# had (een hi# in in%anc Solita! , indolent, and 'e!'et"all acco+'anied ( dan*e!, the #ava*e cannot ("t (e %ond o% #lee', hi# #lee' too +"#t (e li*ht, li)e that o% the ani+al#, &hich thin) ("t little and +a (e #aid to #l"+(e! all the ti+e the do not thin)- Sel%7'!e#e!vation (ein* hi# chie% and al+o#t #ole conce!n, he +"#t e0e!ci#e +o#t tho#e %ac"ltie# &hich a!e +o#t conce!ned &ith attac) o! de%ence, eithe! %o! ove!co+in* hi# '!e , o! %o! '!eventin* hi+ %!o+ (eco+in* the '!e o% othe! ani+al#On the othe! hand, tho#e o!*an# &hich a!e 'e!%ected onl ( #o%tne## and #en#"alit &ill !e+ain in a *!o## and i+'e!%ect #tate, inco+'ati(le &ith an #o!t o% delicac , #o that, hi# #en#e# (ein* divided on thi# head, hi# to"ch and ta#te &ill (e e0t!e+el coa!#e, hi# #i*ht, hea!in* and #+ell e0ceedin*l %ine and #"(tle- S"ch in *ene!al i# the ani+al condition, and #"ch, acco!din* to the na!!ative# o% t!avelle!#, i# that o% +o#t #ava*e nation#- It i# the!e%o!e no +atte! %o! #"!'!i#e that the Hottentot# o% the Ca'e o% Good Ho'e di#tin*"i#h #hi'# at #ea, &ith the na)ed e e, at a# *!eat a di#tance a# the D"tch can do &ith thei! tele#co'e#, o! that the #ava*e# o% A+e!ica #ho"ld t!ace 5?
the S'ania!d#, ( thei! #+ell, a# &ell a# the (e#t do*# co"ld have done, o! that the#e (a!(a!o"# 'eo'le# %eel no 'ain in *oin* na)ed, o! that the "#e la!*e ."antitie# o% 'ie+ento &ith thei! %ood, and d!in) the #t!on*e#t E"!o'ean li."o!# li)e &ate!Hithe!to I have con#ide!ed +e!el the 'h #ical +an, let "# no& ta)e a vie& o% hi+ on hi# +eta'h #ical and +o!al #ideI #ee nothin* in an ani+al ("t an in*enio"# +achine, to &hich nat"!e hath *iven #en#e# to &ind it#el% "', and to *"a!d it#el%, to a ce!tain de*!ee, a*ain#t an thin* that +i*ht tend to di#o!de! o! de#t!o it- I 'e!ceive e0actl the #a+e thin*# in the h"+an +achine, &ith thi# di%%e!ence, that in the o'e!ation# o% the (!"te, nat"!e i# the #ole a*ent, &he!ea# +an ha# #o+e #ha!e in hi# o&n o'e!ation#, in hi# cha!acte! a# a %!ee a*ent- The one choo#e# and !e%"#e# ( in#tinct, the othe! %!o+ an act o% %!ee7&ill1 hence the (!"te cannot deviate %!o+ the !"le '!e#c!i(ed to it, even &hen it &o"ld (e advanta*eo"# %o! it to do #o, and, on the cont!a! , +an %!e."entl deviate# %!o+ #"ch !"le# to hi# o&n '!e2"dice- Th"# a 'i*eon &o"ld (e #ta!ved to death ( the #ide o% a di#h o% the choice#t +eat#, and a cat on a hea' o% %!"it o! *!ain, tho"*h it i# ce!tain that eithe! +i*ht %ind no"!i#h+ent in the %ood# &hich it th"# !e2ect# &ith di#dain, did it thin) o% t! in* the+- Hence it i# that di##ol"te +en !"n into e0ce##e# &hich (!in* on %eve!# and death, (eca"#e the +ind de'!ave# the #en#e#, and the &ill contin"e# to #'ea) &hen nat"!e i# #ilentEve! ani+al ha# idea#, #ince it ha# #en#e#, it even co+(ine# tho#e idea# in a ce!tain de*!ee, and it i# onl in de*!ee that +an di%%e!#, in thi# !e#'ect, %!o+ the (!"te- So+e 'hilo#o'he!# have even +aintained that the!e i# a *!eate! di%%e!ence (et&een one +an and anothe! than (et&een #o+e +en and #o+e (ea#t#- It i# not, the!e%o!e, #o +"ch the "nde!#tandin* that con#tit"te# the #'eci%ic di%%e!ence (et&een the +an and the (!"te, a# the h"+an ."alit o% %!ee7a*enc - Nat"!e la # he! co++and# on eve! ani+al, and the (!"te o(e # he! voice- Man !eceive# the #a+e i+'"l#ion, ("t at the #a+e ti+e )no&# hi+#el% at li(e!t to ac."ie#ce o! !e#i#t1 and it i# 'a!tic"la!l in hi# con#cio"#ne## o% thi# li(e!t that the #'i!it"alit o% hi# #o"l i# di#'la ed- Fo! 'h #ic# +a e0'lain, in #o+e +ea#"!e, the +echani#+ o% the #en#e# and the %o!+ation o% idea#, ("t in the 'o&e! o% &illin* o! !athe! o% choo#in*, and in the %eelin* o% thi# 'o&e!, nothin* i# to (e %o"nd ("t act# &hich a!e '"!el #'i!it"al and &holl ine0'lica(le ( the la&# o% +echani#+Ho&eve!, even i% the di%%ic"ltie# attendin* all the#e ."e#tion# #ho"ld #till leave !oo+ %o! di%%e!ence in thi# !e#'ect (et&een +en and (!"te#, the!e i# anothe! ve! #'eci%ic ."alit &hich di#tin*"i#he# the+, and &hich &ill ad+it o% no di#'"te- Thi# i# the %ac"lt o% #el%7i+'!ove+ent, &hich, ( the hel' o% ci!c"+#tance#, *!ad"all develo'# all the !e#t o% o"! %ac"ltie#, and i# inhe!ent in the #'ecie# a# in the individ"al1 &he!ea# a (!"te i#, at the end o% a %e& +onth#, all he &ill eve! (e d"!in* hi# &hole li%e, and hi# #'ecie#, at the end o% a tho"#and ea!#, e0actl &hat it &a# the %i!#t ea! o% that tho"#and- 3h i# +an alone lia(le to *!o& into a dota!d/ I# it not (eca"#e he !et"!n#, in thi#, to hi# '!i+itive #tate, and that, &hile the (!"te, &hich ha# ac."i!ed nothin* and ha# the!e%o!e nothin* to lo#e, #till !etain# the %o!ce o% in#tinct, +an, &ho lo#e#, ( a*e o! accident, all that hi# perfectibility had ena(led hi+ to *ain, %all# ( thi# +ean# lo&e! than the (!"te# the+#elve#/ It &o"ld (e +elanchol , &e!e &e %o!ced to ad+it that thi# di#tinctive and al+o#t "nli+ited %ac"lt i# the #o"!ce o% all h"+an +i#%o!t"ne#, that it i# thi# &hich, in ti+e, d!a&# +an o"t o% hi# o!i*inal #tate, in &hich he &o"ld have #'ent hi# da # in#en#i(l in 'eace and innocence, that it i# thi# %ac"lt , &hich, #"cce##ivel '!od"cin* in di%%e!ent a*e# hi# di#cove!ie# and hi# e!!o!#, hi# vice# and hi# vi!t"e#, +a)e# hi+ at len*th a t !ant (oth ove! hi+#el% and ove! nat"!e-# It &o"ld (e #hoc)in* to (e o(li*ed to !e*a!d a# a (ene%acto! the +an &ho %i!#t #"**e#ted to the O!oono)o Indian# the "#e o% the (oa!d# the a''l to the te+'le# o% thei! child!en, &hich #ec"!e to the+ #o+e 'a!t at lea#t o% thei! i+(ecilit and o!i*inal ha''ine##-
54
Sava*e +an, le%t ( nat"!e #olel to the di!ection o% in#tinct, o! !athe! inde+ni%ied %o! &hat he +a lac) ( %ac"ltie# ca'a(le at %i!#t o% #"''l in* it# 'lace, and a%te!&a!d# o% !ai#in* hi+ +"ch a(ove it, +"#t acco!din*l (e*in &ith '"!el ani+al %"nction#1 th"# #eein* and %eelin* +"#t (e hi# %i!#t condition, &hich &o"ld (e co++on to hi+ and all othe! ani+al#- To &ill, and not to &ill, to de#i!e and to %ea!, +"#t (e the %i!#t, and al+o#t the onl o'e!ation# o% hi# #o"l, till ne& ci!c"+#tance# occa#ion ne& develo'+ent# o% hi# %ac"ltie#3hateve! +o!ali#t# +a hold, the h"+an "nde!#tandin* i# *!eatl inde(ted to the 'a##ion#, &hich, it i# "nive!#all allo&ed, a!e al#o +"ch inde(ted to the "nde!#tandin*- It i# ( the activit o% the 'a##ion# that o"! !ea#on i# i+'!oved, %o! &e de#i!e )no&led*e onl (eca"#e &e &i#h to en2o , and it i# i+'o##i(le to conceive an !ea#on &h a 'e!#on &ho ha# neithe! %ea!# no! de#i!e# #ho"ld *ive hi+#el% the t!o"(le o% !ea#onin*- The 'a##ion#, a*ain, o!i*inate in o"! &ant#, and thei! '!o*!e## de'end# on that o% o"! )no&led*e, %o! &e cannot de#i!e o! %ea! an thin*, e0ce't %!o+ the idea &e have o% it, o! %!o+ the #i+'le i+'"l#e o% nat"!e- No& #ava*e +an, (ein* de#tit"te o% eve! #'ecie# o% intelli*ence, can have no 'a##ion# #ave tho#e o% the latte! )ind1 hi# de#i!e# neve! *o (e ond hi# 'h #ical &ant#- The onl *ood# he !eco*ni#e# in the "nive!#e a!e %ood, a %e+ale, and #lee'1 the onl evil# he %ea!# a!e 'ain and h"n*e!- I #a 'ain, and not death1 %o! no ani+al can )no& &hat it i# to die, the )no&led*e o% death and it# te!!o!# (ein* one o% the %i!#t ac."i#ition# +ade ( +an in de'a!tin* %!o+ an ani+al #tateIt &o"ld (e ea# , &e!e it nece##a! , to #"''o!t thi# o'inion ( %act#, and to #ho& that, in all the nation# o% the &o!ld, the '!o*!e## o% the "nde!#tandin* ha# (een e0actl '!o'o!tionate to the &ant# &hich the 'eo'le# had !eceived %!o+ nat"!e, o! (een #"(2ected to ( ci!c"+#tance#, and in con#e."ence to the 'a##ion# that ind"ced the+ to '!ovide %o! tho#e nece##itie#- I +i*ht in#tance the a!t#, !i#in* "' in E* 't and e0'andin* &ith the in"ndation o% the Nile- I +i*ht %ollo& thei! '!o*!e## into G!eece, &he!e the too) !oot a%!e#h, *!e& "' and lo&e!ed to the #)ie#, a+on* the !oc)# and #and# o% Attica, &itho"t (ein* a(le to *e!+inate on the %e!tile (an)# o% the E"!ota#1 I +i*ht o(#e!ve that in *ene!al, the 'eo'le o% the No!th a!e +o!e ind"#t!io"# than tho#e o% the So"th, (eca"#e the cannot *et on #o &ell &itho"t (ein* #o1 a# i% nat"!e &anted to e."ali#e +atte!# ( *ivin* thei! "nde!#tandin*# the %e!tilit #he had !e%"#ed to thei! #oilB"t &ho doe# not #ee, &itho"t !ec"!!in* to the "nce!tain te#ti+on o% hi#to! , that eve! thin* #ee+# to !e+ove %!o+ #ava*e +an (oth the te+'tation and the +ean# o% chan*in* hi# condition/ Hi# i+a*ination 'aint# no 'ict"!e#, hi# hea!t +a)e# no de+and# on hi+- Hi# %e& &ant# a!e #o !eadil #"''lied, and he i# #o %a! %!o+ havin* the )no&led*e &hich i# need%"l to +a)e hi+ &ant +o!e, that he can have neithe! %o!e#i*ht no! c"!io#it - The %ace o% nat"!e (eco+e# indi%%e!ent to hi+ a# it *!o&# %a+ilia!- He #ee# in it al&a # the #a+e o!de!, the #a+e #"cce##ion#1 he ha# not "nde!#tandin* eno"*h to &onde! at the *!eate#t +i!acle#, no! i# it in hi# +ind that &e can e0'ect to %ind that 'hilo#o'h +an need#, i% he i# to )no& ho& to notice %o! once &hat he #ee# eve! da - Hi# #o"l, &hich nothin* di#t"!(#, i# &holl &!a''ed "' in the %eelin* o% it# '!e#ent e0i#tence, &itho"t an idea o% the %"t"!e, ho&eve! nea! at hand, &hile hi# '!o2ect#, a# li+ited a# hi# vie&#, ha!dl e0tend to the clo#e o% da - S"ch, even at '!e#ent, i# the e0tent o% the native Ca!i((ean@# %o!e#i*ht1 he &ill i+'!ovidentl #ell o" hi# cotton7(ed in the +o!nin*, and co+e c! in* in the evenin* to (" it a*ain, not havin* %o!e#een he &o"ld &ant it a*ain the ne0t ni*htThe +o!e &e !e%lect on thi# #"(2ect, the *!eate! a''ea!# the di#tance (et&een '"!e #en#ation and the +o#t #i+'le )no&led*e1 it i# i+'o##i(le indeed to conceive ho& a +an, ( hi# o&n 'o&e!# alone, &itho"t the aid o% co++"nication and the #'"! o% nece##it , co"ld have (!id*ed #o *!eat a *a'- Ho& +an a*e# +a have ela'#ed (e%o!e +an)ind &e!e in a 'o#ition to (ehold an othe! %i!e than that o% the heaven#- 3hat a +"lti'licit o% chance# +"#t have ha''ened to teach the+ the co++one#t "#e# o% that ele+ent< Ho& o%ten +"#t the have let it o"t (e%o!e the ac."i!ed the a!t o% !e'!od"cin* it/ and ho& o%ten +a not #"ch a #ec!et have died &ith hi+ &ho had 5D
di#cove!ed it/ 3hat #hall &e #a o% a*!ic"lt"!e, an a!t &hich !e."i!e# #o +"ch la(o"! and %o!e#i*ht, &hich i# #o de'endent on othe!# that it i# 'lain it co"ld onl (e '!acti#ed in a #ociet &hich had at lea#t (e*"n, and &hich doe# not #e!ve #o +"ch to d!a& the +ean# o% #"(#i#tence %!o+ the ea!th G %o! the#e it &o"ld '!od"ce o% it#el% G ("t to co+'el it to '!od"ce &hat i# +o#t to o"! ta#te/ B"t let "# #"''o#e that +en had #o +"lti'lied that the nat"!al '!od"ce o% the ea!th &a# no lon*e! #"%%icient %o! thei! #"''o!t, a #"''o#ition, ( the &a , &hich &o"ld '!ove #"ch a li%e to (e ve! advanta*eo"# %o! the h"+an !ace, let "# #"''o#e that, &itho"t %o!*e# o! &o!)#ho'#, the in#t!"+ent# o% h"#(and! had d!o''ed %!o+ the #) into the hand# o% #ava*e#, that the had ove!co+e thei! nat"!al ave!#ion to contin"al la(o"!, that the had lea!nt #o +"ch %o!e#i*ht %o! thei! need#, that the had divined ho& to c"ltivate the ea!th, to #o& *!ain and 'lant t!ee#, that the had di#cove!ed the a!t# o% *!indin* co!n, and o% #ettin* the *!a'e to %e!+ent G all (ein* thin*# that +"#t have (een ta"*ht the+ ( the *od#, #ince it i# not to (e conceived ho& the co"ld di#cove! the+ %o! the+#elve# G et a%te! all thi#, &hat +an a+on* the+ &o"ld (e #o a(#"!d a# to ta)e the t!o"(le o% c"ltivatin* a %ield, &hich +i*ht (e #t!i''ed o% it# c!o' ( the %i!#t co+e!, +an o! (ea#t, that +i*ht ta)e a li)in* to it, and ho& #ho"ld each o% the+ !e#olve to 'a## hi# li%e in &ea!i#o+e la(o"!, &hen, the +o!e nece##a! to hi+ the !e&a!d o% hi# la(o"! +i*ht (e, the #"!e! he &o"ld (e o% not *ettin* it/ In a &o!d, ho& co"ld #"ch a #it"ation ind"ce +en to c"ltivate the ea!th, till it &a# !e*"la!l 'a!celled o"t a+on* the+, that i# to #a , till the #tate o% nat"!e had (een a(oli#hed/ 3e!e &e to #"''o#e #ava*e +an a# t!ained in the a!t o% thin)in* a# 'hilo#o'he!# +a)e hi+, &e!e &e, li)e the+, to #"''o#e hi+ a ve! 'hilo#o'he! ca'a(le o% inve#ti*atin* the #"(li+e#t t!"th#, and o% %o!+in*, ( hi*hl a(#t!act chain# o% !ea#onin*, +a0i+# o% !ea#on and 2"#tice, ded"ced %!o+ the love o% o!de! in *ene!al, o! the )no&n &ill o% hi# C!eato!, in a &o!d, &e!e &e to #"''o#e hi+ a# intelli*ent and enli*htened, a# he +"#t have (een, and i# in %act %o"nd to have (een, d"ll and #t"'id, &hat advanta*e &o"ld acc!"e to the #'ecie#, %!o+ all #"ch +eta'h #ic#, &hich co"ld not (e co++"nicated ( one to anothe!, ("t +"#t end &ith hi+ &ho +ade the+/ 3hat '!o*!e## co"ld (e +ade ( +an)ind, &hile di#'e!#ed in the &ood# a+on* othe! ani+al#/ and ho& %a! co"ld +en i+'!ove o! +"t"all enli*hten one anothe!, &hen, havin* no %i0ed ha(itation, and no need o% one anothe!@# a##i#tance, the #a+e 'e!#on# ha!dl +et t&ice in thei! live#, and 'e!ha'# then, &itho"t )no&in* one anothe! o! #'ea)in* to*ethe!/ Let it (e con#ide!ed ho& +an idea# &e o&e to the "#e o% #'eech, ho& %a! *!a++a! e0e!ci#e# the "nde!#tandin* and %acilitate# it# o'e!ation#- Let "# !e%lect on the inconceiva(le 'ain# and the in%inite #'ace o% ti+e that the %i!#t invention o% lan*"a*e# +"#t have co#t- To the#e !e%lection# add &hat '!eceded, and then 2"d*e ho& +an tho"#and a*e# +"#t have ela'#ed in the #"cce##ive develo'+ent in the h"+an +ind o% tho#e o'e!ation# o% &hich it i# ca'a(leI #hall he!e ta)e the li(e!t %o! a +o+ent, o% con#ide!in* the di%%ic"ltie# o% the o!i*in o% lan*"a*e#, on &hich #"(2ect I +i*ht content + #el% &ith a #i+'le !e'etition o% the A((B Condillac@# inve#ti*ation#, a# the %"ll con%i!+ + # #te+, and 'e!ha'# even %i!#t #"**e#ted itB"t it i# 'lain, %!o+ the +anne! in &hich thi# 'hilo#o'he! #olve# the di%%ic"ltie# he hi+#el% !ai#e#, conce!nin* the o!i*in o% a!(it!a! #i*n#, that he a##"+e# &hat I ."e#tion, vi$-, that a )ind o% #ociet +"#t al!ead have e0i#ted a+on* the %i!#t invento!# o% lan*"a*e- 3hile I !e%e!, the!e%o!e, to hi# o(#e!vation# on thi# head, I thin) it !i*ht to *ive + o&n, in o!de! to e0hi(it the #a+e di%%ic"ltie# in a li*ht ada'ted to + #"(2ect- The %i!#t &hich '!e#ent# it#el% i# to conceive ho& lan*"a*e can have (eco+e nece##a! , %o! a# the!e &a# no co++"nication a+on* +en and no need %o! an , &e can neithe! conceive the nece##it o% thi# invention, no! the 'o##i(ilit o% it, i% it &a# not #o+eho& indi#'en#a(le- I +i*ht a%%i!+, &ith +an othe!#, that lan*"a*e# a!o#e in the do+e#tic inte!co"!#e (et&een 'a!ent# and thei! child!en- B"t thi# e0'edient &o"ld not o(viate the di%%ic"lt , and &o"ld (e#ide# involve the (l"nde! +ade ( tho#e &ho, in !ea#onin* on the #tate o% nat"!e, al&a # i+'o!t into it idea# *athe!ed in a #tate o% #ociet - Th"# the con#tantl 5C
con#ide! %a+ilie# a# livin* to*ethe! "nde! one !oo%, and the individ"al# o% each a# o(#e!vin* a+on* the+#elve# a "nion a# inti+ate and 'e!+anent a# that &hich e0i#t# a+on* "#, &he!e #o +an co++on inte!e#t# "nite the+1 &he!ea#, in thi# '!i+itive #tate, +en had neithe! ho"#e#, no! h"t#, no! an )ind o% '!o'e!t &hateve!, eve! one lived &he!e he co"ld, #eldo+ %o! +o!e than a #in*le ni*ht, the #e0e# "nited &itho"t de#i*n, a# accident, o''o!t"nit o! inclination (!o"*ht the+ to*ethe!, no! had the an *!eat need o% &o!d# to co++"nicate thei! de#i*n# to each othe!, and the 'a!ted &ith the #a+e indi%%e!ence- The +othe! *ave #"c) to he! child!en at %i!#t %o! he! o&n #a)e, and a%te!&a!d#, &hen ha(it had +ade the+ dea!, %o! thei!#1 ("t a# #oon a# the &e!e #t!on* eno"*h to *o in #ea!ch o% thei! o&n %ood, the %o!#oo) he! o% thei! o&n acco!d, and, a# the had ha!dl an othe! +ethod o% not lo#in* one anothe! than that o% !e+ainin* contin"all &ithin #i*ht, the #oon (eca+e ."ite inca'a(le o% !eco*ni#in* one anothe! &hen the ha''ened to +eet a*ain- It i# %a!the! to (e o(#e!ved that the child, havin* all hi# &ant# to e0'lain, and o% co"!#e +o!e to #a to hi# +othe! than the +othe! co"ld have to #a to hi+, +"#t have (o!ne the (!"nt o% the ta#) o% invention, and the lan*"a*e he "#ed &o"ld (e o% hi# o&n device, #o that the n"+(e! o% lan*"a*e# &o"ld (e e."al to that o% the individ"al# #'ea)in* the+, and the va!iet &o"ld (e inc!ea#ed ( the va*a(ond and !ovin* li%e the led, &hich &o"ld not *ive ti+e %o! an idio+ to (eco+e con#tant- Fo! to #a that the +othe! dictated to he! child the &o!d# he &a# to "#e in a#)in* he! %o! one thin* o! anothe!, i# an e0'lanation o% ho& lan*"a*e# al!ead %o!+ed a!e ta"*ht, ("t ( no +ean# e0'lain# ho& lan*"a*e# &e!e o!i*inall %o!+ed3e &ill #"''o#e, ho&eve!, that thi# %i!#t di%%ic"lt i# o(viated- Let "# %o! a +o+ent then ta)e o"!#elve# a# (ein* on thi# #ide o% the va#t #'ace &hich +"#t lie (et&een a '"!e #tate o% nat"!e and that in &hich lan*"a*e# had (eco+e nece##a! , and, ad+ittin* thei! nece##it , let "# in."i!e ho& the co"ld %i!#t (e e#ta(li#hed- He!e &e have a ne& and &o!#e di%%ic"lt to *!a''le &ith, %o! i% +en need #'eech to lea!n to thin), the +"#t have #tood in +"ch *!eate! need o% the a!t o% thin)in*, to (e a(le to invent that o% #'ea)in*- And tho"*h &e +i*ht conceive ho& the a!tic"late #o"nd# o% the voice ca+e to (e ta)en a# the conventional inte!'!ete!# o% o"! idea#, it &o"ld #till !e+ain %o! "# to in."i!e &hat co"ld have (een the inte!'!ete!# o% thi# convention %o! tho#e idea#, &hich, an#&e!in* to no #en#i(le o(2ect#, co"ld not (e indicated eithe! ( *e#t"!e o! voice, #o that &e can ha!dl %o!+ an tole!a(le con2ect"!e# a(o"t the o!i*in o% thi# a!t o% co++"nicatin* o"! tho"*ht# and e#ta(li#hin* a co!!e#'ondence (et&een +ind#1 an a!t #o #"(li+e, that %a! di#tant a# it i# %!o+ it# o!i*in, 'hilo#o'he!# #till (ehold it at #"ch an i++ea#"!a(le di#tance %!o+ 'e!%ection, that the!e i# none !a#h eno"*h to a%%i!+ it &ill eve! !each it, even tho"*h the !evol"tion# ti+e nece##a!il '!od"ce# &e!e #"#'ended in it# %avo"!, tho"*h '!e2"dice #ho"ld (e (ani#hed %!o+ o"! acade+ie# o! conde+ned to #ilence, and tho#e lea!ned #ocietie# #ho"ld devote the+#elve# "ninte!!"'tedl %o! &hole a*e# to thi# tho!n ."e#tionThe %i!#t lan*"a*e o% +an)ind, the +o#t "nive!#al and vivid, in a &o!d the onl lan*"a*e +an needed, (e%o!e he had occa#ion to e0e!t hi# elo."ence to 'e!#"ade a##e+(led +"ltit"de#, &a# the #i+'le c! o% nat"!e- B"t a# thi# &a# e0cited onl ( a #o!t o% in#tinct on "!*ent occa#ion#, to i+'lo!e a##i#tance in ca#e o% dan*e!, o! !elie% in ca#e o% #"%%e!in*, it co"ld (e o% little "#e in the o!dina! co"!#e o% li%e, in &hich +o!e +ode!ate %eelin*# '!evail- 3hen the idea# o% +en (e*an to e0'and and +"lti'l , and clo#e! co++"nication too) 'lace a+on* the+, the #t!ove to invent +o!e n"+e!o"# #i*n# and a +o!e co'io"# lan*"a*e- The +"lti'lied the in%lection# o% the voice, and added *e#t"!e#, &hich a!e in thei! o&n nat"!e +o!e e0'!e##ive, and de'end le## %o! thei! +eanin* on a '!io! dete!+ination- Vi#i(le and +ova(le o(2ect# &e!e the!e%o!e e0'!e##ed ( *e#t"!e#, and a"di(le one# ( i+itative #o"nd#1 ("t, a# ha!dl an thin* can (e indicated ( *e#t"!e#, e0ce't o(2ect# act"all '!e#ent o! ea#il de#c!i(ed, and vi#i(le action#, a# the a!e not "nive!#all "#e%"l G %o! da!)ne## o! the inte!'o#ition o% a +ate!ial o(2ect de#t!o # thei! e%%icac G and a# (e#ide# the !athe! !e."e#t than #ec"!e o"! attention, +en at len*th (etho"*ht the+#elve# o% #"(#tit"tin* %o! the+ the a!tic"late #o"nd# o% the voice, &hich, &itho"t (ea!in* the #a+e !elation to an 'a!tic"la! idea#, a!e (ette! calc"lated to e0'!e## the+ all, a# conventional 5F
#i*n#- S"ch an in#tit"tion co"ld onl (e +ade ( co++on con#ent, and +"#t have (een e%%ected in a +anne! not ve! ea# %o! +en &ho#e *!o## o!*an# had not (een acc"#to+ed to an #"ch e0e!ci#e- It i# al#o in it#el% #till +o!e di%%ic"lt to conceive, #ince #"ch a co++on a*!ee+ent +"#t have had +otive#, and #'eech #ee+# to have (een hi*hl nece##a! to e#ta(li#h the "#e o% itIt i# !ea#ona(le to #"''o#e that the &o!d# %i!#t +ade "#e o% ( +an)ind had a +"ch +o!e e0ten#ive #i*ni%ication than tho#e "#ed in lan*"a*e# al!ead %o!+ed, and that i*no!ant a# the &e!e o% the divi#ion o% di#co"!#e into it# con#tit"ent 'a!t#, the at %i!#t *ave eve! #in*le &o!d the #en#e o% a &hole '!o'o#ition- 3hen the (e*an to di#tin*"i#h #"(2ect and att!i("te, and no"n and ve!(, &hich &a# it#el% no co++on e%%o!t o% *eni"#, #"(#tantive# &e!e %i!#t onl #o +an '!o'e! na+e#, the '!e#ent in%initive &a# the onl ten#e o% ve!(#, and the ve! idea o% ad2ective# +"#t have (een develo'ed &ith *!eat di%%ic"lt , %o! eve! ad2ective i# an a(#t!act idea, and a(#t!action# a!e 'ain%"l and "nnat"!al o'e!ation#Eve! o(2ect at %i!#t !eceived a 'a!tic"la! na+e &itho"t !e*a!d to *en"# o! #'ecie#, &hich the#e '!i+itive o!i*inato!# &e!e not in a 'o#ition to di#tin*"i#h, eve! individ"al '!e#ented it#el% to thei! +ind# in i#olation, a# the a!e in the 'ict"!e o% nat"!e- I% one oa) &a# called A, anothe! &a# called B, %o! the '!i+itive idea o% t&o thin*# i# that the a!e not the #a+e, and it o%ten ta)e# a lon* ti+e %o! &hat the have in co++on to (e #een1 #o that, the na!!o&e! the li+it# o% thei! )no&led*e o% thin*#, the +o!e co'io"# thei! dictiona! +"#t have (een- The di%%ic"lt o% "#in* #"ch a voca("la! co"ld not (e ea#il !e+oved, %o!, to a!!an*e (ein*# "nde! co++on and *ene!ic deno+ination#, it (eca+e nece##a! to )no& thei! di#tin*"i#hin* '!o'e!tie#1 the need a!o#e %o! o(#e!vation and de%inition, that i# to #a , %o! nat"!al hi#to! and +eta'h #ic# o% a %a! +o!e develo'ed )ind than +en can at that ti+e have 'o##e##edAdd to thi#, that *ene!al idea# cannot (e int!od"ced into the +ind &itho"t the a##i#tance o% &o!d#, no! can the "nde!#tandin* #ei$e the+ e0ce't ( +ean# o% '!o'o#ition#- Thi# i# one o% the !ea#on# &h ani+al# cannot %o!+ #"ch idea#, o! eve! ac."i!e that ca'acit %o! #el%7i+'!ove+ent &hich de'end# on the+- 3hen a +on)e *oe# %!o+ one n"t to anothe!, a!e &e to conceive that he ente!tain# an *ene!al idea o% that )ind o% %!"it, and co+'a!e# it# a!chet 'e &ith the t&o individ"al n"t#/ A##"!edl he doe# not, ("t the #i*ht o% one o% the#e n"t# !ecall# to hi# +e+o! the #en#ation# &hich he !eceived %!o+ the othe!, and hi# e e#, (ein* +odi%ied a%te! a ce!tain +anne!, *ive in%o!+ation to the 'alate o% the +odi%ication it i# a(o"t to !eceive- Eve! *ene!al idea i# '"!el intellect"al, i% the i+a*ination +eddle# &ith it eve! #o little, the idea i++ediatel (eco+e# 'a!tic"la!- I% o" endeavo"! to t!ace in o"! +ind the i+a*e o% a t!ee in *ene!al, o" neve! attain to o"! end- In #'ite o% all o" can do, o" &ill have to #ee it a# *!eat o! little, (a!e o! lea% , li*ht o! da!), and &e!e o" ca'a(le o% #eein* nothin* in it ("t &hat i# co++on to all t!ee#, it &o"ld no lon*e! (e li)e a t!ee at all- 6"!el a(#t!act (ein*# a!e 'e!ceiva(le in the #a+e +anne!, o! a!e onl conceiva(le ( the hel' o% lan*"a*e- The de%inition o% a t!ian*le alone *ive# o" a t!"e idea o% it1 the +o+ent o" i+a*ine a t!ian*le in o"! +ind, it i# #o+e 'a!tic"la! t!ian*le and not anothe!, and o" cannot avoid *ivin* it #en#i(le line# and a colo"!ed a!ea- 3e +"#t then +a)e "#e o% '!o'o#ition# and o% lan*"a*e in o!de! to %o!+ *ene!al idea#- Fo! no #oone! doe# the i+a*ination cea#e to o'e!ate than the "nde!#tandin* '!oceed# onl ( the hel' o% &o!d#- I% then the %i!#t invento!# o% #'eech co"ld *ive na+e# onl to idea# the al!ead had, it %ollo&# that the %i!#t #"(#tantive# co"ld (e nothin* +o!e than '!o'e! na+e#B"t &hen o"! ne& *!a++a!ian#, ( +ean# o% &hich I have no conce'tion, (e*an to e0tend thei! idea# and *ene!ali#e thei! te!+#, the i*no!ance o% the invento!# +"#t have con%ined thi# +ethod &ithin ve! na!!o& li+it#, and, a# the had at %i!#t *one too %a! in +"lti'l in* the na+e# o% individ"al#, %!o+ i*no!ance o% thei! *en"# and #'ecie#, the +ade a%te!&a!d# too %e& o% the#e, %!o+ not havin* con#ide!ed (ein*# in all thei! #'eci%ic di%%e!ence#- It &o"ld indeed have needed +o!e )no&led*e and e0'e!ience than the co"ld have, and +o!e 'ain# and in."i! than the 5H
&o"ld have (e#to&ed, to ca!! the#e di#tinction# to thei! '!o'e! len*th- I%, even to7da , &e a!e contin"all di#cove!in* ne& #'ecie#, &hich have hithe!to e#ca'ed o(#e!vation, let "# !e%lect ho& +an o% the+ +"#t have e#ca'ed +en &ho 2"d*ed thin*# +e!el %!o+ thei! %i!#t a''ea!ance< It i# #"'e!%l"o"# to add that the '!i+itive cla##e# and the +o#t *ene!al notion# +"#t nece##a!il have e#ca'ed thei! notice al#o- Ho&, %o! in#tance, co"ld the have "nde!#tood o! tho"*ht o% the &o!d# +atte!, #'i!it, #"(#tance, +ode, %i*"!e, +otion, &hen even o"! 'hilo#o'he!#, &ho have #o lon* (een +a)in* "#e o% the+, have the+#elve# the *!eate#t di%%ic"lt in "nde!#tandin* the+, and &hen, the idea# attached to the+ (ein* '"!el +eta'h #ical, the!e a!e no +odel# o% the+ to (e %o"nd in nat"!e/ B"t I #to' at thi# 'oint, and a#) + 2"d*e# to #"#'end thei! !eadin* a &hile, to con#ide!, a%te! the invention o% 'h #ical #"(#tantive#, &hich i# the ea#ie#t 'a!t o% lan*"a*e to invent, that the!e i# #till a *!eat &a to *o, (e%o!e the tho"*ht# o% +en &ill have %o"nd 'e!%ect e0'!e##ion and con#tant %o!+, #"ch a# &o"ld an#&e! the '"!'o#e# o% '"(lic #'ea)in*, and '!od"ce thei! e%%ect on #ociet - I (e* o% the+ to con#ide! ho& +"ch ti+e +"#t have (een #'ent, and ho& +"ch )no&led*e needed, to %ind o"t n"+(e!#, a(#t!act te!+#, ao!i#t# and all the ten#e# o% ve!(#, 'a!ticle#, # nta0, the +ethod o% connectin* '!o'o#ition#, the %o!+# o% !ea#onin*, and all the lo*ic o% #'eech- Fo! + #el%, I a+ #o a*ha#t at the inc!ea#in* di%%ic"ltie# &hich '!e#ent the+#elve#, and #o &ell convinced o% the al+o#t de+on#t!a(le i+'o##i(ilit that lan*"a*e# #ho"ld o&e thei! o!i*inal in#tit"tion to +e!el h"+an +ean#, that I leave, to an one &ho &ill "nde!ta)e it, the di#c"##ion o% the di%%ic"lt '!o(le+, &hich &a# +o#t nece##a! , the e0i#tence o% #ociet to the invention o% lan*"a*e, o! the invention o% lan*"a*e to the e#ta(li#h+ent o% #ociet - B"t (e the o!i*in o% lan*"a*e and #ociet &hat the +a , it +a (e at lea#t in%e!!ed, %!o+ the little ca!e &hich nat"!e ha# ta)en to "nite +an)ind ( +"t"al &ant#, and to %acilitate the "#e o% #'eech, that #he ha# cont!i("ted little to +a)e the+ #ocia(le, and ha# '"t little o% he! o&n into all the have done to c!eate #"ch (ond# o% "nion- It i# in %act i+'o##i(le to conceive &h , in a #tate o% nat"!e, one +an #ho"ld #tand +o!e in need o% the a##i#tance o% anothe!, than a +on)e o! a &ol% o% the a##i#tance o% anothe! o% it# )ind1 o!, *!antin* that he did, &hat +otive# co"ld ind"ce that othe! to a##i#t hi+, o!, even then, ( &hat +ean# the co"ld a*!ee a(o"t the condition#- I )no& it i# ince##antl !e'eated that +an &o"ld in #"ch a #tate have (een the +o#t +i#e!a(le o% c!eat"!e#, and indeed, i% it (e t!"e, a# I thin) I have '!oved, that he +"#t have lived +an a*e#, (e%o!e he co"ld have eithe! de#i!e o! an o''o!t"nit o% e+e!*in* %!o+ it, thi# &o"ld onl (e an acc"#ation a*ain#t nat"!e, and not a*ain#t the (ein* &hich #he had th"# "nha''il con#tit"ted- B"t a# I "nde!#tand the &o!d miserable, it eithe! ha# no +eanin* at all, o! el#e #i*ni%ie# onl a 'ain%"l '!ivation o% #o+ethin*, o! a #tate o% #"%%e!in* eithe! in (od o! #o"l- I #ho"ld (e *lad to have e0'lained to +e, &hat )ind o% +i#e! a %!ee (ein*, &ho#e hea!t i# at ea#e and &ho#e (od i# in health, can 'o##i(l #"%%e!- I &o"ld a#) al#o, &hethe! a #ocial o! a nat"!al li%e i# +o#t li)el to (eco+e in#"''o!ta(le to tho#e &ho en2o it- 3e #ee a!o"nd "# ha!dl a c!eat"!e in civil #ociet , &ho doe# not la+ent hi# e0i#tence1 &e even #ee +an de'!ive the+#elve# o% a# +"ch o% it a# the can, and la&# h"+an and divine to*ethe! can ha!dl '"t a #to' to the di#o!de!- I a#), i% it &a# eve! )no&n that a #ava*e too) it into hi# head, &hen at li(e!t , to co+'lain o% li%e o! to +a)e a&a &ith hi+#el%- Let "# the!e%o!e 2"d*e, &ith le## vanit , on &hich #ide the !eal +i#e! i# %o"nd- On the othe! hand, nothin* co"ld (e +o!e "nha'' than #ava*e +an, da$$led ( #cience, to!+ented ( hi# 'a##ion#, and !ea#onin* a(o"t a #tate di%%e!ent %!o+ hi# o&n- It a''ea!# that 6!ovidence +o#t &i#el dete!+ined that the %ac"ltie#, &hich he 'otentiall 'o##e##ed, #ho"ld develo' the+#elve# onl a# occa#ion o%%e!ed to e0e!ci#e the+, in o!de! that the +i*ht not (e #"'e!%l"o"# o! 'e!'le0in* to hi+, ( a''ea!in* (e%o!e thei! ti+e, no! #lo& and "#ele## &hen the need %o! the+ a!o#e- In in#tinct alone, he had all he !e."i!ed %o! livin* in the #tate o% nat"!e, and &ith a develo'ed "nde!#tandin* he ha# onl 2"#t eno"*h to #"''o!t li%e in #ociet It a''ea!#, at %i!#t vie&, that +en in a #tate o% nat"!e, havin* no +o!al !elation# o! dete!+inate o(li*ation# one &ith anothe!, co"ld not (e eithe! *ood o! (ad, vi!t"o"# o! vicio"#, "nle## &e ta)e 8I
the#e te!+# in a 'h #ical #en#e, and call, in an individ"al, tho#e ."alitie# vice# &hich +a (e in2"!io"# to hi# '!e#e!vation, and tho#e vi!t"e# &hich cont!i("te to it, in &hich ca#e, he &o"ld have to (e acco"nted +o#t vi!t"o"#, &ho '"t lea#t chec) on the '"!e i+'"l#e# o% nat"!e- B"t &itho"t deviatin* %!o+ the o!dina! #en#e o% the &o!d#, it &ill (e '!o'e! to #"#'end the 2"d*+ent &e +i*ht (e led to %o!+ on #"ch a #tate, and (e on o"! *"a!d a*ain#t o"! '!e2"dice#, till &e have &ei*hed the +atte! in the #cale# o% i+'a!tialit , and #een &hethe! vi!t"e# o! vice# '!e'onde!ate a+on* civili#ed +en, and &hethe! thei! vi!t"e# do the+ +o!e *ood than thei! vice# do ha!+, till &e have di#cove!ed, &hethe! the '!o*!e## o% the #cience# #"%%icientl inde+ni%ie# the+ %o! the +i#chie%# the do one anothe!, in '!o'o!tion a# the a!e (ette! in%o!+ed o% the *ood the o"*ht to do, o! &hethe! the &o"ld not (e, on the &hole, in a +"ch ha''ie! condition i% the had nothin* to %ea! o! to ho'e %!o+ an one, than a# the a!e, #"(2ected to "nive!#al de'endence, and o(li*ed to ta)e eve! thin* %!o+ tho#e &ho en*a*e to *ive the+ nothin* in !et"!nA(ove all, let "# not concl"de, &ith Ho((e#, that (eca"#e +an ha# no idea o% *oodne##, he +"#t (e nat"!all &ic)ed, that he i# vicio"# (eca"#e he doe# not )no& vi!t"e, that he al&a # !e%"#e# to do hi# %ello&7c!eat"!e# #e!vice# &hich he doe# not thin) the have a !i*ht to de+and, o! that ( vi!t"e o% the !i*ht he t!"l clai+# to eve! thin* he need#, he %ooli#hl i+a*ine# hi+#el% the #ole '!o'!ieto! o% the &hole "nive!#e- Ho((e# had #een clea!l the de%ect# o% all the +ode!n de%inition# o% nat"!al !i*ht1 ("t the con#e."ence# &hich he ded"ce# %!o+ hi# o&n #ho& that he "nde!#tand# it in an e."all %al#e #en#e- In !ea#onin* on the '!inci'le# he la # do&n, he o"*ht to have #aid that the #tate o% nat"!e, (ein* that in &hich the ca!e %o! o"! o&n '!e#e!vation i# the lea#t '!e2"dicial to that o% othe!#, &a# con#e."entl the (e#t calc"lated to '!o+ote 'eace, and the +o#t #"ita(le %o! +an)ind- He doe# #a the e0act o''o#ite, in con#e."ence o% havin* i+'!o'e!l ad+itted, a# a 'a!t o% #ava*e +an@# ca!e %o! #el%7'!e#e!vation, the *!ati%ication o% a +"ltit"de o% 'a##ion# &hich a!e the &o!) o% #ociet , and have +ade la&# nece##a! - A (ad +an, he #a #, i# a !o("#t child- B"t it !e+ain# to (e '!oved &hethe! +an in a #tate o% nat"!e i# thi# !o("#t child1 and, #ho"ld &e *!ant that he i#, &hat &o"ld he in%e!/ 3h t!"l , that i% thi# +an, &hen !o("#t and #t!on*, &e!e de'endent on othe!# a# he i# &hen %ee(le, the!e i# no e0t!ava*ance he &o"ld not (e *"ilt o%, that he &o"ld (eat hi# +othe! &hen #he &a# too #lo& in *ivin* hi+ he! (!ea#t, that he &o"ld #t!an*le one o% hi# o"n*e! (!othe!#, i% he #ho"ld (e t!o"(le#o+e to hi+, o! (ite the a!+ o% anothe!, i% he '"t hi+ to an inconvenience- B"t that +an in the #tate o% nat"!e i# (oth #t!on* and de'endent involve# t&o cont!a! #"''o#ition#- Man i# &ea) &hen he i# de'endent, and i# hi# o&n +a#te! (e%o!e he co+e# to (e #t!on*- Ho((e# did not !e%lect that the #a+e ca"#e, &hich '!event# a #ava*e %!o+ +a)in* "#e o% hi# !ea#on, a# o"! 2"!i#t# hold, '!event# hi+ al#o %!o+ a("#in* hi# %ac"ltie#, a# Ho((e# hi+#el% allo #o that it +a (e 2"#tl #aid that #ava*e# a!e not (ad +e!el (eca"#e the do not )no& &hat it i# to (e *ood1 %o! it i# neithe! the develo'+ent o% the "nde!#tandin* no! the !e#t!aint o% la& that hinde!# the+ %!o+ doin* ill, ("t the 'eace%"lne## o% thei! 'a##ion#, and thei! i*no!ance o% vice1 tanto plus in illis proficit vitiorum ignoratio, quam in his cognitio virtutis.) The!e i# anothe! '!inci'le &hich ha# e#ca'ed Ho((e#, &hich, havin* (een (e#to&ed on +an)ind, to +ode!ate, on ce!tain occa#ion#, the i+'et"o#it o% e*oi#+, o!, (e%o!e it# (i!th, the de#i!e o% #el%7'!e#e!vation, te+'e!# the a!do"! &ith &hich he '"!#"e# hi# o&n &el%a!e, ( an innate !e'"*nance at #eein* a %ello&7c!eat"!e #"%%e!-* I thin) I need not %ea! cont!adiction in holdin* +an to (e 'o##e##ed o% the onl nat"!al vi!t"e, &hich co"ld not (e denied hi+ ( the +o#t violent det!acto! o% h"+an vi!t"e- I a+ #'ea)in* o% co+'a##ion, &hich i# a di#'o#ition #"ita(le to c!eat"!e# #o &ea) and #"(2ect to #o +an evil# a# &e ce!tainl a!e1 ( #o +"ch the +o!e "nive!#al and "#e%"l to +an)ind, a# it co+e# (e%o!e an )ind o% !e%lection, and at the #a+e ti+e #o nat"!al, that the ve! (!"te# the+#elve# #o+eti+e# *ive evident '!oo%# o% it- Not to +ention the tende!ne## o% +othe!# %o! thei! o%%#'!in* and the 'e!il# the enco"nte! to #ave the+ %!o+ dan*e!, it i# &ell )no&n that ho!#e# #ho& a !el"ctance to t!a+'le on livin* (odie#- One ani+al neve! 'a##e# ( the dead (od o% anothe! o% it# #'ecie#1 the!e a!e even #o+e &hich *ive thei! 85
%ello&# a #o!t o% ("!ial, &hile the +o"!n%"l lo&in*# o% the cattle &hen the ente! the #la"*hte!7 ho"#e #ho& the i+'!e##ion# +ade on the+ ( the ho!!i(le #'ectacle &hich +eet# the+- 3e %ind, &ith 'lea#"!e, the a"tho! o% the Fa(le o% the Bee# o(li*ed to o&n that +an i# a co+'a##ionate and #en#i(le (ein*, and la in* a#ide hi# cold #"(tlet o% #t le, in the e0a+'le he *ive#, to '!e#ent "# &ith the 'athetic de#c!i'tion o% a +an &ho, %!o+ a 'lace o% con%ine+ent, i# co+'elled to (ehold a &ild (ea#t tea! a child %!o+ the a!+# o% it# +othe!, *!indin* it# tende! li+(# &ith it# +"!de!o"# teeth, and tea!in* it# 'al'itatin* ent!ail# &ith it# cla&#- 3hat ho!!id a*itation +"#t not the e e&itne## o% #"ch a #cene e0'e!ience, altho"*h he &o"ld not (e 'e!#onall conce!ned< 3hat an0iet &o"ld he not #"%%e! at not (ein* a(le to *ive an a##i#tance to the %aintin* +othe! and the d in* in%ant< S"ch i# the '"!e e+otion o% nat"!e, '!io! to all )ind# o% !e%lection< S"ch i# the %o!ce o% nat"!al co+'a##ion, &hich the *!eate#t de'!avit o% +o!al# ha# a# et ha!dl (een a(le to de#t!o < %o! &e dail %ind at o"! theat!e# +en a%%ected, na #heddin* tea!# at the #"%%e!in*# o% a &!etch &ho, &e!e he in the t !ant@# 'lace, &o"ld '!o(a(l even add to the to!+ent# o% hi# ene+ie#, li)e the (loodthi!#t S"lla, &ho &a# #o #en#itive to ill# he had not ca"#ed, o! that Ale0ande! o% 6he!o# &ho did not da!e to *o and #ee an t!a*ed acted, %o! %ea! o% (ein* #een &ee'in* &ith And!o+ache and 6!ia+, tho"*h he co"ld li#ten &itho"t e+otion to the c!ie# o% all the citi$en# &ho &e!e dail #t!an*led at hi# co++andMollissima corda umano generi dare se natura fatetur, !u" lacrimas dedit. A"venal, #atires, 0v- 545& Mandeville &ell )ne& that, in #'ite o% all thei! +o!alit , +en &o"ld have neve! (een (ette! than +on#te!#, had not nat"!e (e#to&ed on the+ a #en#e o% co+'a##ion, to aid thei! !ea#on1 ("t he did not #ee that %!o+ thi# ."alit alone %lo& all tho#e #ocial vi!t"e#, o% &hich he denied +an the 'o##e##ion- B"t &hat i# *ene!o#it , cle+enc o! h"+anit ("t co+'a##ion a''lied to the &ea), to the *"ilt , o! to +an)ind in *ene!al/ Even (enevolence and %!iend#hi' a!e, i% &e 2"d*e !i*htl , onl the e%%ect# o% co+'a##ion, con#tantl #et "'on a 'a!tic"la! o(2ect1 %o! ho& i# it di%%e!ent to &i#h that anothe! 'e!#on +a not #"%%e! 'ain and "nea#ine## and to &i#h hi+ ha'' / 3e!e it even t!"e that 'it i# no +o!e than a %eelin*, &hich '"t# "# in the 'lace o% the #"%%e!e!, a %eelin*, o(#c"!e et livel in a #ava*e, develo'ed et %ee(le in civili#ed +an, thi# t!"th &o"ld have no othe! con#e."ence than to con%i!+ + a!*"+ent- Co+'a##ion +"#t, in %act, (e the #t!on*e!, the +o!e the ani+al (eholdin* an )ind o% di#t!e## identi%ie# hi+#el% &ith the ani+al that #"%%e!#No&, it i# 'lain that #"ch identi%ication +"#t have (een +"ch +o!e 'e!%ect in a #tate o% nat"!e than it i# in a #tate o% !ea#on- It i# !ea#on that en*ende!# #el%7!e#'ect, and !e%lection that con%i!+# it1 it i# !ea#on &hich t"!n# +an@# +ind (ac) "'on it#el%, and divide# hi+ %!o+ eve! thin* that co"ld di#t"!( o! a%%lict hi+- It i# 'hilo#o'h that i#olate# hi+, and (id# hi+ #a , at #i*ht o% the +i#%o!t"ne# o% othe!#1 96e!i#h i% o" &ill, I a+ #ec"!e-9 Nothin* ("t #"ch *ene!al evil# a# th!eaten the &hole co++"nit can di#t"!( the t!an."il #lee' o% the 'hilo#o'he!, o! tea! hi+ %!o+ hi# (ed- A +"!de! +a &ith i+'"nit (e co++itted "nde! hi# &indo&, he ha# onl to '"t hi# hand# to hi# ea!# and a!*"e a little &ith hi+#el%, to '!event nat"!e, &hich i# #hoc)ed &ithin hi+, %!o+ identi% in* it#el% &ith the "n%o!t"nate #"%%e!e!- Uncivili#ed +an ha# not thi# ad+i!a(le talent, and %o! &ant o% !ea#on and &i#do+, i# al&a # %ooli#hl !ead to o(e the %i!#t '!o+'tin*# o% h"+anit - It i# the 'o'"lace that %loc)# to*ethe! at !iot# and #t!eet7(!a&l#, &hile the &i#e +an '!"dentl +a)e# o%%- It i# the +o( and the +a!)et7&o+en, &ho 'a!t the co+(atant#, and hinde! *entle7%ol)# %!o+ c"ttin* one anothe!@# th!oat#It i# then ce!tain that co+'a##ion i# a nat"!al %eelin*, &hich, ( +ode!atin* the violence o% love o% #el% in each individ"al, cont!i("te# to the '!e#e!vation o% the &hole #'ecie#- It i# thi# 88
co+'a##ion that h"!!ie# "# &itho"t !e%lection to the !elie% o% tho#e &ho a!e in di#t!e##1 it i# thi# &hich in a #tate o% nat"!e #"''lie# the 'lace o% la&#, +o!al# and vi!t"e#, &ith the advanta*e that none a!e te+'ted to di#o(e it# *entle voice1 it i# thi# &hich &ill al&a # '!event a #t"!d #ava*e %!o+ !o((in* a &ea) child o! a %ee(le old +an o% the #"#tenance the +a have &ith 'ain and di%%ic"lt ac."i!ed, i% he #ee# a 'o##i(ilit o% '!ovidin* %o! hi+#el% ( othe! +ean#1 it i# thi# &hich, in#tead o% inc"lcatin* that #"(li+e +a0i+ o% !ational 2"#tice- $o to others as you would have them do unto you, in#'i!e# all +en &ith that othe! +a0i+ o% nat"!al *oodne##, +"ch le## 'e!%ect indeed, ("t 'e!ha'# +o!e "#e%"l, $o good to yourself with as little evil as possible to others. In a &o!d, it i# !athe! in thi# nat"!al %eelin* than in an #"(tle a!*"+ent# that &e +"#t loo) %o! the ca"#e o% that !e'"*nance, &hich eve! +an &o"ld e0'e!ience in doin* evil, even inde'endentl o% the +a0i+# o% ed"cation- Altho"*h it +i*ht (elon* to Soc!ate# and othe! +ind# o% the li)e c!a%t to ac."i!e vi!t"e ( !ea#on, the h"+an !ace &o"ld lon* #ince have cea#ed to (e, had it# '!e#e!vation de'ended onl on the !ea#onin*# o% the individ"al# co+'o#in* it3ith 'a##ion# #o little active, and #o *ood a c"!(, +en, (ein* !athe! &ild than &ic)ed, and +o!e intent to *"a!d the+#elve# a*ain#t the +i#chie% that +i*ht (e done the+, than to do +i#chie% to othe!#, &e!e ( no +ean# #"(2ect to ve! 'e!ilo"# di##en#ion#- The +aintained no )ind o% inte!co"!#e &ith one anothe!, and &e!e con#e."entl #t!an*e!# to vanit , de%e!ence, e#tee+ and conte+'t, the had not the lea#t idea o% meum and tuum, and no t!"e conce'tion o% 2"#tice, the loo)ed "'on eve! violence to &hich the &e!e #"(2ected, !athe! a# an in2"! that +i*ht ea#il (e !e'ai!ed than a# a c!i+e that o"*ht to (e '"ni#hed, and the neve! tho"*ht o% ta)in* !even*e, "nle## 'e!ha'# +echanicall and on the #'ot, a# a do* &ill #o+eti+e# (ite the #tone &hich i# th!o&n at hi+- Thei! ."a!!el# the!e%o!e &o"ld #eldo+ have ve! (lood con#e."ence#, %o! the #"(2ect o% the+ &o"ld (e +e!el the ."e#tion o% #"(#i#tence- B"t I a+ a&a!e o% one *!eate! dan*e!, &hich !e+ain# to (e noticedO% the 'a##ion# that #ti! the hea!t o% +an, the!e i# one &hich +a)e# the #e0e# nece##a! to each othe!, and i# e0t!e+el a!dent and i+'et"o"#, a te!!i(le 'a##ion that (!ave# dan*e!, #"!+o"nt# all o(#tacle#, and in it# t!an#'o!t# #ee+# calc"lated to (!in* de#t!"ction on the h"+an !ace &hich it i# !eall de#tined to '!e#e!ve- 3hat +"#t (eco+e o% +en &ho a!e le%t to thi# (!"tal and (o"ndle## !a*e, &itho"t +ode#t , &itho"t #ha+e, and dail "'holdin* thei! a+o"!# at the '!ice o% thei! (lood/ It +"#t, in the %i!#t 'lace, (e allo&ed that, the +o!e violent the 'a##ion# a!e, the +o!e a!e la&# nece##a! to )ee' the+ "nde! !e#t!aint- B"t, #ettin* a#ide the inade."ac o% la&# to e%%ect thi# '"!'o#e, &hich i# evident %!o+ the c!i+e# and di#o!de!# to &hich the#e 'a##ion# dail *ive !i#e a+on* "#, &e #ho"ld do &ell to in."i!e i% the#e evil# did not #'!in* "' &ith the la&# the+#elve#, %o! in thi# ca#e, even i% the la&# &e!e ca'a(le o% !e'!e##in* #"ch evil#, it i# the lea#t that co"ld (e e0'ected %!o+ the+, that the #ho"ld chec) a +i#chie% &hich &o"ld not have a!i#en &itho"t the+Let "# (e*in ( di#tin*"i#hin* (et&een the 'h #ical and +o!al in*!edient# in the %eelin* o% loveThe 'h #ical 'a!t o% love i# that *ene!al de#i!e &hich "!*e# the #e0e# to "nion &ith each othe!The +o!al 'a!t i# that &hich dete!+ine# and %i0e# thi# de#i!e e0cl"#ivel "'on one 'a!tic"la! o(2ect, o! at lea#t *ive# it a *!eate! de*!ee o% ene!* to&a!d the o(2ect th"# '!e%e!!ed- It i# ea# to #ee that the +o!al 'a!t o% love i# a %actitio"# %eelin*, (o!n o% #ocial "#a*e, and enhanced ( the &o+en &ith +"ch ca!e and cleve!ne##, to e#ta(li#h thei! e+'i!e, and '"t in 'o&e! the #e0 &hich o"*ht to o(e - Thi# %eelin*, (ein* %o"nded on ce!tain idea# o% (ea"t and +e!it &hich a #ava*e i# not in a 'o#ition to ac."i!e, and on co+'a!i#on# &hich he i# inca'a(le o% +a)in*, +"#t (e %o! hi+ al+o#t non7e0i#tent, %o!, a# hi# +ind cannot %o!+ a(#t!act idea# o% '!o'o!tion and !e*"la!it , #o hi# hea!t i# not #"#ce'ti(le o% the %eelin*# o% love and ad+i!ation, &hich a!e even in#en#i(l '!od"ced ( the a''lication o% the#e idea#- He %ollo&# #olel the cha!acte! nat"!e ha# i+'lanted 8;
in hi+, and not ta#te# &hich he co"ld neve! have ac."i!ed, #o that eve! &o+an e."all an#&e!# hi# '"!'o#eMen in a #tate o% nat"!e (ein* con%ined +e!el to &hat i# 'h #ical in love, and %o!t"nate eno"*h to (e i*no!ant o% tho#e e0cellence#, &hich &het the a''etite &hile the inc!ea#e the di%%ic"lt o% *!ati% in* it, +"#t (e #"(2ect to %e&e! and le## violent %it# o% 'a##ion, and con#e."entl %all into %e&e! and le## violent di#'"te#- The i+a*ination, &hich ca"#e# #"ch !ava*e# a+on* "#, neve! #'ea)# to the hea!t o% #ava*e#, &ho ."ietl a&ait the i+'"l#e# o% nat"!e, ield to the+ invol"nta!il , &ith +o!e 'lea#"!e than a!do"!, and, thei! &ant# once #ati#%ied, lo#e the de#i!e- It i# the!e%o!e inconte#ta(le that love, a# &ell a# all othe! 'a##ion#, +"#t have ac."i!ed in #ociet that *lo&in* i+'et"o#it , &hich +a)e# it #o o%ten %atal to +an)ind- And it i# the +o!e a(#"!d to !e'!e#ent #ava*e# a# contin"all c"ttin* one anothe!@# th!oat# to ind"l*e thei! (!"talit , (eca"#e thi# o'inion i# di!ectl cont!a! to e0'e!ience, the Ca!i((ean#, &ho have a# et lea#t o% all deviated %!o+ the #tate o% nat"!e, (ein* in %act the +o#t 'eacea(le o% 'eo'le in thei! a+o"!#, and the lea#t #"(2ect to 2ealo"# , tho"*h the live in a hot cli+ate &hich #ee+# al&a # to in%la+e the 'a##ion#3ith !e*a!d to the in%e!ence# that +i*ht (e d!a&n, in the ca#e o% #eve!al #'ecie# o% ani+al#, the +ale# o% &hich %ill o"! 'o"lt! 7 a!d# &ith (lood and #la"*hte!, o! in #'!in* +a)e the %o!e#t# !e#o"nd &ith thei! ."a!!el# ove! thei! %e+ale#, &e +"#t (e*in ( e0cl"din* all tho#e #'ecie#, in &hich nat"!e ha# 'lainl e#ta(li#hed, in the co+'a!ative 'o&e! o% the #e0e#, !elation# di%%e!ent %!o+ tho#e &hich e0i#t a+on* "#1 th"# &e can (a#e no concl"#ion a(o"t +en on the ha(it# o% %i*htin* coc)#- In tho#e #'ecie# &he!e the '!o'o!tion i# (ette! o(#e!ved, the#e (attle# +"#t (e enti!el d"e to the #ca!cit o% %e+ale# in co+'a!i#on &ith +ale#, o!, &hat a+o"nt# to the #a+e thin*, to the inte!val# d"!in* &hich the %e+ale con#tantl !e%"#e# the advance# o% the +ale1 %o! i% each %e+ale ad+it# the +ale ("t d"!in* t&o +onth# in the ea!, it i# the #a+e a# i% the n"+(e! o% %e+ale# &e!e %ive7#i0th# le##- No&, neithe! o% the#e t&o ca#e# i# a''lica(le to the h"+an #'ecie#, in &hich the n"+(e! o% %e+ale# "#"all e0ceed# that o% +ale#, and a+on* &ho+ it ha# neve! (een o(#e!ved, even a+on* #ava*e#, that the %e+ale# have, li)e tho#e o% othe! ani+al#, thei! #tated ti+e# o% 'a##ion and indi%%e!ence- Mo!eove!, in #eve!al o% the#e #'ecie#, the individ"al# all ta)e %i!e at once, and the!e co+e# a %ea!%"l +o+ent o% "nive!#al 'a##ion, t"+"lt and di#o!de! a+on* the+, a #cene &hich i# neve! (eheld in the h"+an #'ecie#, &ho#e love i# not th"# #ea#onal- 3e +"#t not then concl"de %!o+ the co+(at# o% #"ch ani+al# %o! the en2o +ent o% the %e+ale#, that the ca#e &o"ld (e the #a+e &ith +an)ind in a #tate o% nat"!e1 and, even i% &e d!e& #"ch a concl"#ion, &e #ee that #"ch conte#t# do not e0te!+inate othe! )ind# o% ani+al#, and &e have no !ea#on to thin) the &o"ld (e +o!e %atal to o"!#- It i# indeed clea! that the &o"ld do #till le## +i#chie% than i# the ca#e in a #tate o% #ociet , e#'eciall in tho#e co"nt!ie# in &hich, +o!al# (ein* #till held in #o+e !e'"te, the 2ealo"# o% love!# and the ven*eance o% h"#(and# a!e the dail ca"#e o% d"el#, +"!de!#, and even &o!#e c!i+e#, &he!e the o(li*ation o% ete!nal %idelit onl occa#ion# ad"lte! , and the ve! la&# o% hono"! and continence nece##a!il inc!ea#e de(a"che! and lead to the +"lti'lication o% a(o!tion#Let "# concl"de then that +an in a #tate o% nat"!e, &ande!in* "' and do&n the %o!e#t#, &itho"t ind"#t! , &itho"t #'eech, and &itho"t ho+e, an e."al #t!an*e! to &a! and to all tie#, neithe! #tandin* in need o% hi# %ello&7c!eat"!e# no! havin* an de#i!e to h"!t the+, and 'e!ha'# even not di#tin*"i#hin* the+ one %!o+ anothe!, let "# concl"de that, (ein* #el%7#"%%icient and #"(2ect to #o %e& 'a##ion#, he co"ld have no %eelin*# o! )no&led*e ("t #"ch a# (e%itted hi# #it"ation, that he %elt onl hi# act"al nece##itie#, and di#!e*a!ded eve! thin* he did not thin) hi+#el% i++ediatel conce!ned to notice, and that hi# "nde!#tandin* +ade no *!eate! '!o*!e## than hi# vanit - I% ( accident he +ade an di#cove! , he &a# the le## a(le to co++"nicate it to othe!#, a# he did not )no& even hi# o&n child!en- Eve! a!t &o"ld nece##a!il 'e!i#h &ith it# invento!, &he!e the!e &a# no )ind o% ed"cation a+on* +en, and *ene!ation# #"cceeded *ene!ation# &itho"t the lea#t 8?
advance, &hen, all #ettin* o"t %!o+ the #a+e 'oint, cent"!ie# +"#t have ela'#ed in the (a!(a!i#+ o% the %i!#t a*e#, &hen the !ace &a# al!ead old, and +an !e+ained a childI% I have e0'atiated at #"ch len*th on thi# #"''o#ed '!i+itive #tate, it i# (eca"#e I had #o +an ancient e!!o!# and invete!ate '!e2"dice# to e!adicate, and the!e%o!e tho"*ht it inc"+(ent on +e to di* do&n to thei! ve! !oot, and #ho&, ( +ean# o% a t!"e 'ict"!e o% the #tate o% nat"!e, ho& %a! even the nat"!al ine."alitie# o% +an)ind a!e %!o+ havin* that !ealit and in%l"ence &hich +ode!n &!ite!# #"''o#eIt i# in %act ea# to #ee that +an o% the di%%e!ence# &hich di#tin*"i#h +en a!e +e!el the e%%ect o% ha(it and the di%%e!ent +ethod# o% li%e +en ado't in #ociet - Th"# a !o("#t o! delicate con#tit"tion, and the #t!en*th o! &ea)ne## attachin* to it, a!e +o!e %!e."entl the e%%ect# o% a ha!d o! e%%e+inate +ethod o% ed"cation than o% the o!i*inal endo&+ent o% the (od - It i# the #a+e &ith the 'o&e!# o% the +ind, %o! ed"cation not onl +a)e# a di%%e!ence (et&een #"ch a# a!e c"lt"!ed and #"ch a# a!e not, ("t even inc!ea#e# the di%%e!ence# &hich e0i#t a+on* the %o!+e!, in '!o'o!tion to thei! !e#'ective de*!ee# o% c"lt"!e1 a# the di#tance (et&een a *iant and a d&a!% on the #a+e !oad inc!ea#e# &ith eve! #te' the ta)e- I% &e co+'a!e the '!odi*io"# dive!#it , &hich o(tain# in the ed"cation and +anne! o% li%e o% the va!io"# o!de!# o% +en in the #tate o% #ociet , &ith the "ni%o!+it and #i+'licit o% ani+al and #ava*e li%e, in &hich eve! one live# on the #a+e )ind o% %ood and in e0actl the #a+e +anne!, and doe# e0actl the #a+e thin*#, it i# ea# to conceive ho& +"ch le## the di%%e!ence (et&een +an and +an +"#t (e in a #tate o% nat"!e than in a #tate o% #ociet , and ho& *!eatl the nat"!al ine."alit o% +an)ind +"#t (e inc!ea#ed ( the ine."alitie# o% #ocial in#tit"tion#B"t even i% nat"!e !eall a%%ected, in the di#t!i("tion o% he! *i%t#, that 'a!tialit &hich i# i+'"ted to he!, &hat advanta*e &o"ld the *!eate#t o% he! %avo"!ite# de!ive %!o+ it, to the det!i+ent o% othe!#, in a #tate that ad+it# o% ha!dl an )ind o% !elation (et&een the+/ 3he!e the!e i# no love, o% &hat advanta*e i# (ea"t / O% &hat "#e i# &it to tho#e &ho do not conve!#e, o! c"nnin* to tho#e &ho have no ("#ine## &ith othe!#/ I hea! it con#tantl !e'eated that, in #"ch a #tate, the #t!on* &o"ld o''!e## the &ea), ("t &hat i# he!e +eant ( o''!e##ion/ So+e, it i# #aid, &o"ld violentl do+inee! ove! othe!#, &ho &o"ld *!oan "nde! a #e!vile #"(+i##ion to thei! ca'!ice#Thi# indeed i# e0actl &hat I o(#e!ve to (e the ca#e a+on* "#, ("t I do not #ee ho& it can (e in%e!!ed o% +en in a #tate o% nat"!e, &ho co"ld not ea#il (e (!o"*ht to conceive &hat &e +ean ( do+inion and #e!vit"de- One +an, it i# t!"e, +i*ht #ei$e the %!"it# &hich anothe! had *athe!ed, the *a+e he had )illed, o! the cave he had cho#en %o! #helte!, ("t ho& &o"ld he eve! (e a(le to e0act o(edience, and &hat tie# o% de'endence co"ld the!e (e a+on* +en &itho"t 'o##e##ion#/ I%, %o! in#tance, I a+ d!iven %!o+ one t!ee, I can *o to the ne0t, i% I a+ di#t"!(ed in one 'lace, &hat hinde!# +e %!o+ *oin* to anothe!/ A*ain, #ho"ld I ha''en to +eet &ith a +an #o +"ch #t!on*e! than + #el%, and at the #a+e ti+e #o de'!aved, #o indolent, and #o (a!(a!o"#, a# to co+'el +e to '!ovide %o! hi# #"#tenance &hile he hi+#el% !e+ain# idle, he +"#t ta)e ca!e not to have hi# e e# o%% +e %o! a #in*le +o+ent, he +"#t (ind +e %a#t (e%o!e he *oe# to #lee', o! I #hall ce!tainl eithe! )noc) hi+ on the head o! +a)e + e#ca'e- That i# to #a , he +"#t in #"ch a ca#e vol"nta!il e0'o#e hi+#el% to +"ch *!eate! t!o"(le than he #ee)# to avoid, o! can *ive +eA%te! all thi#, let hi+ (e o%% hi# *"a!d eve! #o little, let hi+ ("t t"!n hi# head a#ide at an #"dden noi#e, and I #hall (e in#tantl t&ent 'ace# o%%, lo#t in the %o!e#t, and, + %ette!# ("!#t a#"nde!, he &o"ld neve! #ee +e a*ain3itho"t + e0'atiatin* th"# "#ele##l on the#e detail#, eve! one +"#t #ee that a# the (ond# o% #e!vit"de a!e %o!+ed +e!el ( the +"t"al de'endence o% +en on one anothe! and the !eci'!ocal need# that "nite the+, it i# i+'o##i(le to +a)e an +an a #lave, "nle## he (e %i!#t !ed"ced to a #it"ation in &hich he cannot do &itho"t the hel' o% othe!#1 and, #ince #"ch a #it"ation doe# not
84
e0i#t in a #tate o% nat"!e, eve! one i# the!e hi# o&n +a#te!, and the la& o% the #t!on*e#t i# o% no e%%ectHavin* '!oved that the ine."alit o% +an)ind i# ha!dl %elt, and that it# in%l"ence i# ne0t to nothin* in a #tate o% nat"!e, I +"#t ne0t #ho& it# o!i*in and t!ace it# '!o*!e## in the #"cce##ive develo'+ent# o% the h"+an +ind- Havin* #ho&n that h"+an perfectibility, the #ocial vi!t"e#, and the othe! %ac"ltie# &hich nat"!al +an 'otentiall 'o##e##ed, co"ld neve! develo' o% the+#elve#, ("t +"#t !e."i!e the %o!t"ito"# conc"!!ence o% +an %o!ei*n ca"#e# that +i*ht neve! a!i#e, and &itho"t &hich he &o"ld have !e+ained %o! eve! in hi# '!i+itive condition, I +"#t no& collect and con#ide! the di%%e!ent accident# &hich +a have i+'!oved the h"+an "nde!#tandin* &hile de'!avin* the #'ecie#, and +ade +an &ic)ed &hile +a)in* hi+ #ocia(le, #o a# to (!in* hi+ and the &o!ld %!o+ that di#tant 'e!iod to the 'oint at &hich &e no& (ehold the+I con%e## that, a# the event# I a+ *oin* to de#c!i(e +i*ht have ha''ened in va!io"# &a #, I have nothin* to dete!+ine + choice ("t con2ect"!e#1 ("t #"ch con2ect"!e# (eco+e !ea#on#, &hen the a!e the +o#t '!o(a(le that can (e d!a&n %!o+ the nat"!e o% thin*#, and the onl +ean# o% di#cove!in* the t!"th- The con#e."ence#, ho&eve!, &hich I +ean to ded"ce &ill not (e (a!el con2ect"!al, a#, on the '!inci'le# 2"#t laid do&n, it &o"ld (e i+'o##i(le to %o!+ an othe! theo! that &o"ld not %"!ni#h the #a+e !e#"lt#, and %!o+ &hich I co"ld not d!a& the #a+e concl"#ion#Thi# &ill (e a #"%%icient a'olo* %o! + not d&ellin* on the +anne! in &hich the la'#e o% ti+e co+'en#ate# %o! the little '!o(a(ilit in the event#, on the #"!'!i#in* 'o&e! o% t!ivial ca"#e#, &hen thei! action i# con#tant, on the i+'o##i(ilit , on the one hand, o% de#t!o in* ce!tain h 'othe#e#, tho"*h on the othe! &e cannot *ive the+ the ce!taint o% )no&n +atte!# o% %act, on it# (ein* &ithin the '!ovince o% hi#to! , &hen t&o %act# a!e *iven a# !eal, and have to (e connected ( a #e!ie# o% inte!+ediate %act#, &hich a!e "n)no&n o! #"''o#ed to (e #o, to #"''l #"ch %act# a# +a connect the+, and on it# (ein* in the '!ovince o% 'hilo#o'h &hen hi#to! i# #ilent, to dete!+ine #i+ila! %act# to #e!ve the #a+e end, and la#tl , on the in%l"ence o% #i+ila!it , &hich, in the ca#e o% event#, !ed"ce# the %act# to a +"ch #+alle! n"+(e! o% di%%e!ent cla##e# than i# co++onl i+a*ined- It i# eno"*h %o! +e to o%%e! the#e hint# to the con#ide!ation o% + 2"d*e#, and to have #o a!!an*ed that the *ene!al !eade! ha# no need to con#ide! the+ at all-
5- See A''endi08- A"#tin, ist. ii- 8- So +"ch +o!e doe# the i*no!ance o% vice '!o%it the one #o!t than the )no&led*e o% vi!t"e the othe!;- E*oi#+ +"#t not (e con%"#ed &ith #el%7!e#'ect1 %o! the di%%e! (oth in the+#elve# and in thei! e%%ect#- Sel%7!e#'ect i# a nat"!al %eelin* &hich lead# eve! ani+al to loo) to it# o&n '!e#e!vation, and &hich, *"ided in +an ( !ea#on and +odi%ied ( co+'a##ion, c!eate# h"+anit and vi!t"e- E*oi#+ i# a '"!el !elative and %actitio"# %eelin*, &hich a!i#e# in the #tate o% #ociet , lead# each individ"al to +a)e +o!e o% hi+#el% than o% an othe!, ca"#e# all the +"t"al da+a*e +en in%lict one on anothe!, and i# the !eal #o"!ce o% the 9#en#e o% hono"!-9 Thi# (ein* "nde!#tood, I +aintain that, in o"! '!i+itive condition, in the t!"e #tate o% nat"!e, e*oi#+ did not e0i#t, %o! a# each +an !e*a!ded hi+#el% a# the onl o(#e!ve! o% hi# action#, the onl (ein* in the "nive!#e &ho too) an inte!e#t in hi+, and the #ole 2"d*e o% hi# de#e!t#, no %eelin* a!i#in* %!o+ co+'a!i#on# he co"ld not (e led to +a)e co"ld ta)e !oot in hi# #o"l, and %o! the #a+e !ea#on, he co"ld )no& neithe! hat!ed no! the de#i!e %o! !even*e, #ince the#e 'a##ion# can #'!in* onl %!o+ a #en#e o% in2"! 1 and a# it i# the conte+'t o! the intention to h"!t, and not the ha!+ done, &hich con#tit"te# the
8D
in2"! , +en &ho neithe! val"ed no! co+'a!ed the+#elve# co"ld do one anothe! +"ch violence, &hen it #"ited the+, &itho"t %eelin* an #en#e o% in2"! - In a &o!d, each +an, !e*a!din* hi# %ello&# al+o#t a# he !e*a!ded ani+al# o% di%%e!ent #'ecie#, +i*ht #ei$e the '!e o% a &ea)e! o! ield "' hi# o&n to a #t!on*e!, and et con#ide! the#e act# o% violence a# +e!e nat"!al occ"!!ence#, &itho"t the #li*hte#t e+otion o% in#olence o! de#'ite, o! an othe! %eelin* than the 2o o! *!ie% o% #"cce## o! %ail"!e?- Nat"!e avo&# #he *ave the h"+an !ace the #o%te#t hea!t#, &ho *ave the+ tea!#-
THE SECOND PART THE %i!#t +an &ho, havin* enclo#ed a 'iece o% *!o"nd, (etho"*ht hi+#el% o% #a in* %his is mine,
and %o"nd 'eo'le #i+'le eno"*h to (elieve hi+, &a# the !eal %o"nde! o% civil #ociet - F!o+ ho& +an c!i+e#, &a!# and +"!de!#, %!o+ ho& +an ho!!o!# and +i#%o!t"ne# +i*ht not an one have #aved +an)ind, ( '"llin* "' the #ta)e#, o! %illin* "' the ditch, and c! in* to hi# %ello&#, 9Be&a!e o% li#tenin* to thi# i+'o#to!, o" a!e "ndone i% o" once %o!*et that the %!"it# o% the ea!th (elon* to "# all, and the ea!th it#el% to no(od -9 B"t the!e i# *!eat '!o(a(ilit that thin*# had then al!ead co+e to #"ch a 'itch, that the co"ld no lon*e! contin"e a# the &e!e, %o! the idea o% '!o'e!t de'end# on +an '!io! idea#, &hich co"ld onl (e ac."i!ed #"cce##ivel , and cannot have (een %o!+ed all at once in the h"+an +ind- Man)ind +"#t have +ade ve! con#ide!a(le '!o*!e##, and ac."i!ed con#ide!a(le )no&led*e and ind"#t! &hich the +"#t al#o have t!an#+itted and inc!ea#ed %!o+ a*e to a*e, (e%o!e the a!!ived at thi# la#t 'oint o% the #tate o% nat"!e- Let "# then *o %a!the! (ac), and endeavo"! to "ni% "nde! a #in*le 'oint o% vie& that #lo& #"cce##ion o% event# and di#cove!ie# in the +o#t nat"!al o!de!Man@# %i!#t %eelin* &a# that o% hi# o&n e0i#tence, and hi# %i!#t ca!e that o% #el%7'!e#e!vation- The '!od"ce o% the ea!th %"!ni#hed hi+ &ith all he needed, and in#tinct told hi+ ho& to "#e itH"n*e! and othe! a''etite# +ade hi+ at va!io"# ti+e# e0'e!ience va!io"# +ode# o% e0i#tence, and a+on* the#e &a# one &hich "!*ed hi+ to '!o'a*ate hi# #'ecie# G a (lind '!o'en#it that, havin* nothin* to do &ith the hea!t, '!od"ced a +e!el ani+al act- The &ant once *!ati%ied, the t&o #e0e# )ne& each othe! no +o!e, and even the o%%#'!in* &a# nothin* to it# +othe!, a# #oon a# it co"ld do &itho"t he!S"ch &a# the condition o% in%ant +an, the li%e o% an ani+al li+ited at %i!#t to +e!e #en#ation#, and ha!dl '!o%itin* ( the *i%t# nat"!e (e#to&ed on hi+, +"ch le## ca'a(le o% ente!tainin* a tho"*ht o% %o!cin* an thin* %!o+ he!- B"t di%%ic"ltie# #oon '!e#ented the+#elve#, and it (eca+e nece##a! to lea!n ho& to #"!+o"nt the+1 the hei*ht o% the t!ee#, &hich '!evented hi+ %!o+ *athe!in* thei! %!"it#, the co+'etition o% othe! ani+al# de#i!o"# o% the #a+e %!"it#, and the %e!ocit o% tho#e &ho needed the+ %o! thei! o&n '!e#e!vation, all o(li*ed hi+ to a''l hi+#el% to (odil e0e!ci#e#- He had to (e active, #&i%t o% %oot, and vi*o!o"# in %i*ht- Nat"!al &ea'on#, #tone# and #tic)#, &e!e ea#il %o"nd1 he lea!nt to #"!+o"nt the o(#tacle# o% nat"!e, to contend in ca#e o% nece##it &ith othe! ani+al#, and to di#'"te %o! the +ean# o% #"(#i#tence even &ith othe! +en, o! to inde+ni% hi+#el% %o! &hat he &a# %o!ced to *ive "' to a #t!on*e!In '!o'o!tion a# the h"+an !ace *!e& +o!e n"+e!o"#, +en@# ca!e# inc!ea#ed- The di%%e!ence o% #oil#, cli+ate# and #ea#on#, +"#t have int!od"ced #o+e di%%e!ence# into thei! +anne! o% livin*Ba!!en ea!#, lon* and #ha!' &inte!#, #co!chin* #"++e!# &hich 'a!ched the %!"it# o% the ea!th, +"#t have de+anded a ne& ind"#t! - On the #ea#ho!e and the (an)# o% !ive!#, the invented the hoo) and line, and (eca+e %i#he!+en and eate!# o% %i#h- In the %o!e#t# the +ade (o&# and a!!o&#, and (eca+e h"nt#+en and &a!!io!#- In cold co"nt!ie# the clothed the+#elve# &ith the 8C
#)in# o% the (ea#t# the had #lain- The li*htnin*, a volcano, o! #o+e l"c) chance ac."ainted the+ &ith %i!e, a ne& !e#o"!ce a*ain#t the !i*o"!# o% &inte!1 the ne0t lea!ned ho& to '!e#e!ve thi# ele+ent, then ho& to !e'!od"ce it, and %inall ho& to '!e'a!e &ith it the %le#h o% ani+al# &hich (e%o!e the had eaten !a&Thi# !e'eated !elevance o% va!io"# (ein*# to hi+#el%, and one to anothe!, &o"ld nat"!all *ive !i#e in the h"+an +ind to the 'e!ce'tion# o% ce!tain !elation# (et&een the+- Th"# the !elation# &hich &e denote ( the te!+#, *!eat, #+all, #t!on*, &ea), #&i%t, #lo&, %ea!%"l, (old, and the li)e, al+o#t in#en#i(l co+'a!ed at need, +"#t have at len*th '!od"ced in hi+ a )ind o% !e%lection, o! !athe! a +echanical '!"dence, &hich &o"ld indicate to hi+ the '!eca"tion# +o#t nece##a! to hi# #ec"!it The ne& intelli*ence &hich !e#"lted %!o+ thi# develo'+ent inc!ea#ed hi# #"'e!io!it ove! othe! ani+al#, ( +a)in* hi+ #en#i(le o% it- He &o"ld no& endeavo"!, the!e%o!e, to en#na!e the+, &o"ld 'la the+ a tho"#and t!ic)#, and tho"*h +an o% the+ +i*ht #"!'a## hi+ in #&i%tne## o! in #t!en*th, &o"ld in ti+e (eco+e the +a#te! o% #o+e and the #co"!*e o% othe!#- Th"#, the %i!#t ti+e he loo)ed into hi+#el%, he %elt the %i!#t e+otion o% '!ide, and, at a ti+e &hen he #ca!ce )ne& ho& to di#tin*"i#h the di%%e!ent o!de!# o% (ein*#, ( loo)in* "'on hi# #'ecie# a# o% the hi*he#t o!de!, he '!e'a!ed the &a %o! a##"+in* '!e7e+inence a# an individ"alOthe! +en, it i# t!"e, &e!e not then to hi+ &hat the no& a!e to "#, and he had no *!eate! inte!co"!#e &ith the+ than &ith othe! ani+al#, et the &e!e not ne*lected in hi# o(#e!vation#The con%o!+itie#, &hich he &o"ld in ti+e di#cove! (et&een the+, and (et&een hi+#el% and hi# %e+ale, led hi+ to 2"d*e o% othe!# &hich &e!e not then 'e!ce'ti(le, and %indin* that the all (ehaved a# he hi+#el% &o"ld have done in li)e ci!c"+#tance#, he nat"!all in%e!!ed that thei! +anne! o% thin)in* and actin* &a# alto*ethe! in con%o!+it &ith hi# o&n- Thi# i+'o!tant t!"th, once dee'l i+'!e##ed on hi# +ind, +"#t have ind"ced hi+, %!o+ an int"itive %eelin* +o!e ce!tain and +"ch +o!e !a'id than an )ind o% !ea#onin*, to '"!#"e the !"le# o% cond"ct, &hich he had (e#t o(#e!ve to&a!d# the+, %o! hi# o&n #ec"!it and advanta*eTa"*ht ( e0'e!ience that the love o% &ell7(ein* i# the #ole +otive o% h"+an action#, he %o"nd hi+#el% in a 'o#ition to di#tin*"i#h the %e& ca#e#, in &hich +"t"al inte!e#t +i*ht 2"#ti% hi+ in !el in* "'on the a##i#tance o% hi# %ello&#, and al#o the #till %e&e! ca#e# in &hich a con%lict o% inte!e#t# +i*ht *ive ca"#e to #"#'ect the+- In the %o!+e! ca#e, he 2oined in the #a+e he!d &ith the+, o! at +o#t in #o+e )ind o% loo#e a##ociation, that laid no !e#t!aint on it# +e+(e!#, and la#ted no lon*e! than the t!an#ito! occa#ion that %o!+ed it- In the latte! ca#e, eve! one #o"*ht hi# o&n '!ivate advanta*e, eithe! ( o'en %o!ce, i% he tho"*ht hi+#el% #t!on* eno"*h, o! ( add!e## and c"nnin*, i% he %elt hi+#el% the &ea)e!In thi# +anne!, +en +a have in#en#i(l ac."i!ed #o+e *!o## idea# o% +"t"al "nde!ta)in*#, and o% the advanta*e# o% %"l%illin* the+1 that i#, 2"#t #o %a! a# thei! '!e#ent and a''a!ent inte!e#t &a# conce!ned1 %o! the &e!e 'e!%ect #t!an*e!# to %o!e#i*ht, and &e!e #o %a! %!o+ t!o"(lin* the+#elve# a(o"t the di#tant %"t"!e, that the ha!dl tho"*ht o% the +o!!o&- I% a dee! &a# to (e ta)en, eve! one #a& that, in o!de! to #"cceed, he +"#t a(ide %aith%"ll ( hi# 'o#t1 ("t i% a ha!e ha''ened to co+e &ithin the !each o% an one o% the+, it i# not to (e do"(ted that he '"!#"ed it &itho"t #c!"'le, and, havin* #ei$ed hi# '!e , ca!ed ve! little, i% ( #o doin* he ca"#ed hi# co+'anion# to +i## thei!#It i# ea# to "nde!#tand that #"ch inte!co"!#e &o"ld not !e."i!e a lan*"a*e +"ch +o!e !e%ined than that o% !oo)# o! +on)e #, &ho a##ociate to*ethe! %o! +"ch the #a+e '"!'o#e- Ina!tic"late c!ie#, 'lent o% *e#t"!e# and #o+e i+itative #o"nd#, +"#t have (een %o! a lon* ti+e the "nive!#al lan*"a*e, and ( the addition, in eve! co"nt! , o% #o+e conventional a!tic"late #o"nd# =o% 8F
&hich, a# I have al!ead inti+ated, the %i!#t in#tit"tion i# not too ea# to e0'lain> 'a!tic"la! lan*"a*e# &e!e '!od"ced, ("t the#e &e!e !"de and i+'e!%ect, and nea!l #"ch a# a!e no& to (e %o"nd a+on* #o+e #ava*e nation#H"!!ied on ( the !a'idit o% ti+e, ( the a("ndance o% thin*# I have to #a , and ( the al+o#t in#en#i(le '!o*!e## o% thin*# in thei! (e*innin*#, I 'a## ove! in an in#tant a +"ltit"de o% a*e#, %o! the #lo&e! the event# &e!e in thei! #"cce##ion, the +o!e !a'idl +a the (e de#c!i(edThe#e %i!#t advance# ena(led +en to +a)e othe!# &ith *!eate! !a'idit - In '!o'o!tion a# the *!e& enli*htened, the *!e& ind"#t!io"#- The cea#ed to %all a#lee' "nde! the %i!#t t!ee, o! in the %i!#t cave that a%%o!ded the+ #helte!, the invented #eve!al )ind# o% i+'le+ent# o% ha!d and #ha!' #tone#, &hich the "#ed to di* "' the ea!th, and to c"t &ood, the then +ade h"t# o"t o% (!anche#, and a%te!&a!d# lea!nt to 'la#te! the+ ove! &ith +"d and cla - Thi# &a# the e'och o% a %i!#t !evol"tion, &hich e#ta(li#hed and di#tin*"i#hed %a+ilie#, and int!od"ced a )ind o% '!o'e!t , in it#el% the #o"!ce o% a tho"#and ."a!!el# and con%lict#- A#, ho&eve!, the #t!on*e#t &e!e '!o(a(l the %i!#t to ("ild the+#elve# h"t# &hich the %elt the+#elve# a(le to de%end, it +a (e concl"ded that the &ea) %o"nd it +"ch ea#ie! and #a%e! to i+itate, than to atte+'t to di#lod*e the+1 and o% tho#e &ho &e!e once '!ovided &ith h"t#, none co"ld have an ind"ce+ent to a''!o'!iate that o% hi# nei*h(o"!, not indeed #o +"ch (eca"#e it did not (elon* to hi+, a# (eca"#e it co"ld (e o% no "#e, and he co"ld not +a)e hi+#el% +a#te! o% it &itho"t e0'o#in* hi+#el% to a de#'e!ate (attle &ith the %a+il &hich occ"'ied itThe %i!#t e0'an#ion# o% the h"+an hea!t &e!e the e%%ect# o% a novel #it"ation, &hich "nited h"#(and# and &ive#, %athe!# and child!en, "nde! one !oo%- The ha(it o% livin* to*ethe! #oon *ave !i#e to the %ine#t %eelin*# )no&n to h"+anit , con2"*al love and 'ate!nal a%%ection- Eve! %a+il (eca+e a little #ociet , the +o!e "nited (eca"#e li(e!t and !eci'!ocal attach+ent &e!e the onl (ond# o% it# "nion- The #e0e#, &ho#e +anne! o% li%e had (een hithe!to the #a+e, (e*an no& to ado't di%%e!ent &a # o% livin*- The &o+en (eca+e +o!e #edenta! , and acc"#to+ed the+#elve# to +ind the h"t and thei! child!en, &hile the +en &ent a(!oad in #ea!ch o% thei! co++on #"(#i#tence- F!o+ livin* a #o%te! li%e, (oth #e0e# al#o (e*an to lo#e #o+ethin* o% thei! #t!en*th and %e!ocit 1 ("t, i% individ"al# (eca+e to #o+e e0tent le## a(le to enco"nte! &ild (ea#t# #e'a!atel , the %o"nd it, on the othe! hand, ea#ie! to a##e+(le and !e#i#t in co++onThe #i+'licit and #olit"de o% +an@# li%e in thi# ne& condition, the 'a"cit o% hi# &ant#, and the i+'le+ent# he had invented to #ati#% the+, le%t hi+ a *!eat deal o% lei#"!e, &hich he e+'lo ed to %"!ni#h hi+#el% &ith +an convenience# "n)no&n to hi# %athe!#1 and thi# &a# the %i!#t o)e he inadve!tentl i+'o#ed on hi+#el%, and the %i!#t #o"!ce o% the evil# he '!e'a!ed %o! hi# de#cendant#- Fo!, (e#ide# contin"in* th"# to ene!vate (oth (od and +ind, the#e convenience# lo#t &ith "#e al+o#t all thei! 'o&e! to 'lea#e, and even de*ene!ated into !eal need#, till the &ant o% the+ (eca+e %a! +o!e di#a*!eea(le than the 'o##e##ion o% the+ had (een 'lea#ant- Men &o"ld have (een "nha'' at the lo## o% the+, tho"*h the 'o##e##ion did not +a)e the+ ha'' 3e can he!e #ee a little (ette! ho& the "#e o% #'eech (eca+e e#ta(li#hed, and in#en#i(l i+'!oved in each %a+il , and &e +a %o!+ a con2ect"!e al#o conce!nin* the +anne! in &hich va!io"# ca"#e# +a have e0tended and accele!ated the '!o*!e## o% lan*"a*e, ( +a)in* it +o!e and +o!e nece##a! - Flood# o! ea!th."a)e# #"!!o"nded inha(ited di#t!ict# &ith '!eci'ice# o! &ate!#1 !evol"tion# o% the *lo(e to!e o%% 'o!tion# %!o+ the continent, and +ade the+ i#land#- It i# !eadil #een that a+on* +en th"# collected and co+'elled to live to*ethe!, a co++on idio+ +"#t have a!i#en +"ch +o!e ea#il than a+on* tho#e &ho #till &ande!ed th!o"*h the %o!e#t# o% the continent- Th"# it i# ve! 'o##i(le that a%te! thei! %i!#t e##a # in navi*ation the i#lande!# (!o"*ht ove! the "#e o% #'eech to the continent1 and it i# at lea#t ve! '!o(a(le that co++"nitie#
8H
and lan*"a*e# &e!e %i!#t e#ta(li#hed in i#land#, and even ca+e to 'e!%ection the!e (e%o!e the &e!e )no&n on the +ainlandEve! thin* no& (e*in# to chan*e it# a#'ect- Men, &ho have "' to no& (een !ovin* in the &ood#, ( ta)in* to a +o!e #ettled +anne! o% li%e, co+e *!ad"all to*ethe!, %o!+ #e'a!ate (odie#, and at len*th in eve! co"nt! a!i#e# a di#tinct nation, "nited in cha!acte! and +anne!#, not ( !e*"lation# o! la&#, ("t ( "ni%o!+it o% li%e and %ood, and the co++on in%l"ence o% cli+ate6e!+anent nei*h(o"!hood co"ld not %ail to '!od"ce, in ti+e, #o+e connection (et&een di%%e!ent %a+ilie#- A+on* o"n* 'eo'le o% o''o#ite #e0e#, livin* in nei*h(o"!in* h"t#, the t!an#ient co++e!ce !e."i!ed ( nat"!e #oon led, th!o"*h +"t"al inte!co"!#e, to anothe! )ind not le## a*!eea(le, and +o!e 'e!+anent- Men (e*an no& to ta)e the di%%e!ence (et&een o(2ect# into acco"nt, and to +a)e co+'a!i#on#, the ac."i!ed i+'e!ce'ti(l the idea# o% (ea"t and +e!it, &hich #oon *ave !i#e to %eelin*# o% '!e%e!ence- In con#e."ence o% #eein* each othe! o%ten, the co"ld not do &itho"t #eein* each othe! con#tantl - A tende! and 'lea#ant %eelin* in#in"ated it#el% into thei! #o"l#, and the lea#t o''o#ition t"!ned it into an i+'et"o"# %"! 1 &ith love a!o#e 2ealo"# , di#co!d t!i"+'hed, and h"+an (lood &a# #ac!i%iced to the *entle#t o% all 'a##ion#A# idea# and %eelin*# #"cceeded one anothe!, and hea!t and head &e!e (!o"*ht into 'la , +en contin"ed to la a#ide thei! o!i*inal &ildne##, thei! '!ivate connection# (eca+e eve! da +o!e inti+ate a# thei! li+it# e0tended- The acc"#to+ed the+#elve# to a##e+(le (e%o!e thei! h"t# !o"nd a la!*e t!ee, #in*in* and dancin*, the t!"e o%%#'!in* o% love and lei#"!e, (eca+e the a+"#e+ent, o! !athe! the occ"'ation, o% +en and &o+en th"# a##e+(led to*ethe! &ith nothin* el#e to do- Each one (e*an to con#ide! the !e#t, and to &i#h to (e con#ide!ed in t"!n, and th"# a val"e ca+e to (e attached to '"(lic e#tee+- 3hoeve! #an* o! danced (e#t, &hoeve! &a# the hand#o+e#t, the #t!on*e#t, the +o#t de0te!o"#, o! the +o#t elo."ent, ca+e to (e o% +o#t con#ide!ation, and thi# &a# the %i!#t #te' to&a!d# ine."alit , and at the #a+e ti+e to&a!d# viceF!o+ the#e %i!#t di#tinction# a!o#e on the one #ide vanit and conte+'t and on the othe! #ha+e and env 1 and the %e!+entation ca"#ed ( the#e ne& leaven# ended ( '!od"cin* co+(ination# %atal to innocence and ha''ine##A# #oon a# +en (e*an to val"e one anothe!, and the idea o% con#ide!ation had *ot a %ootin* in the +ind, eve! one '"t in hi# clai+ to it, and it (eca+e i+'o##i(le to !e%"#e it to an &ith i+'"nit Hence a!o#e the %i!#t o(li*ation# o% civilit even a+on* #ava*e#, and eve! intended in2"! (eca+e an a%%!ont, (eca"#e, (e#ide# the h"!t &hich +i*ht !e#"lt %!o+ it, the 'a!t in2"!ed &a# ce!tain to %ind in it a conte+'t %o! hi# 'e!#on, &hich &a# o%ten +o!e in#"''o!ta(le than the h"!t it#el%Th"#, a# eve! +an '"ni#hed the conte+'t #ho&n hi+ ( othe!#, in '!o'o!tion to hi# o'inion o% hi+#el%, !even*e (eca+e te!!i(le, and +en (lood and c!"el- Thi# i# '!eci#el the #tate !eached ( +o#t o% the #ava*e nation# )no&n to "#1 and it i# %o! &ant o% havin* +ade a '!o'e! di#tinction in o"! idea#, and #ee ho& ve! %a! the al!ead a!e %!o+ the #tate o% nat"!e, that #o +an &!ite!# have ha#til concl"ded that +an i# nat"!all c!"el, and !e."i!e# civil in#tit"tion# to +a)e hi+ +o!e +ild, &he!ea# nothin* i# +o!e *entle than +an in hi# '!i+itive #tate, a# he i# 'laced ( nat"!e at an e."al di#tance %!o+ the #t"'idit o% (!"te#, and the %atal in*en"it o% civili#ed +anE."all con%ined ( in#tinct and !ea#on to the #ole ca!e o% *"a!din* hi+#el% a*ain#t the +i#chie%# &hich th!eaten hi+, he i# !e#t!ained ( nat"!al co+'a##ion %!o+ doin* an in2"! to othe!#, and i# not led to do #"ch a thin* even in !et"!n %o! in2"!ie# !eceived- Fo!, acco!din* to the a0io+ o% the &i#e Loc)e, %here can be no in&ury, where there is no propertyB"t it +"#t (e !e+a!)ed that the #ociet th"# %o!+ed, and the !elation# th"# e#ta(li#hed a+on* +en, !e."i!ed o% the+ ."alitie# di%%e!ent %!o+ tho#e &hich the 'o##e##ed %!o+ thei! '!i+itive con#tit"tion- Mo!alit (e*an to a''ea! in h"+an action#, and eve! one, (e%o!e the in#tit"tion o% ;I
la&, &a# the onl 2"d*e and aven*e! o% the in2"!ie# done hi+, #o that the *oodne## &hich &a# #"ita(le in the '"!e #tate o% nat"!e &a# no lon*e! '!o'e! in the ne&7(o!n #tate o% #ociet 6"ni#h+ent# had to (e +ade +o!e #eve!e, a# o''o!t"nitie# o% o%%endin* (eca+e +o!e %!e."ent, and the d!ead o% ven*eance had to ta)e the 'lace o% the !i*o"! o% the la&- Th"#, tho"*h +en had (eco+e le## 'atient, and thei! nat"!al co+'a##ion had al!ead #"%%e!ed #o+e di+in"tion, thi# 'e!iod o% e0'an#ion o% the h"+an %ac"ltie#, )ee'in* a 2"#t +ean (et&een the indolence o% the '!i+itive #tate and the 'et"lant activit o% o"! e*oi#+, +"#t have (een the ha''ie#t and +o#t #ta(le o% e'och#- The +o!e &e !e%lect on it, the +o!e &e #hall %ind that thi# #tate &a# the lea#t #"(2ect to !evol"tion#, and alto*ethe! the ve! (e#t +an co"ld e0'e!ience, #o that he can have de'a!ted %!o+ it onl th!o"*h #o+e %atal accident, &hich, %o! the '"(lic *ood, #ho"ld neve! have ha''ened- The e0a+'le o% #ava*e#, +o#t o% &ho+ have (een %o"nd in thi# #tate, #ee+# to '!ove that +en &e!e +eant to !e+ain in it, that it i# the !eal o"th o% the &o!ld, and that all #"(#e."ent advance# have (een a''a!entl #o +an #te'# to&a!d# the 'e!%ection o% the individ"al, ("t in !ealit to&a!d# the dec!e'it"de o% the #'ecie#So lon* a# +en !e+ained content &ith thei! !"#tic h"t#, #o lon* a# the &e!e #ati#%ied &ith clothe# +ade o% the #)in# o% ani+al# and #e&n to*ethe! &ith tho!n# and %i#h7(one#, ado!ned the+#elve# onl &ith %eathe!# and #hell#, and contin"ed to 'aint thei! (odie# di%%e!ent colo"!#, to i+'!ove and (ea"ti% thei! (o&# and a!!o&# and to +a)e &ith #ha!'7ed*ed #tone# %i#hin* (oat# o! cl"+# +"#ical in#t!"+ent#, in a &o!d, #o lon* a# the "nde!too) onl &hat a #in*le 'e!#on co"ld acco+'li#h, and con%ined the+#elve# to #"ch a!t# a# did not !e."i!e the 2oint la(o"! o% #eve!al hand#, the lived %!ee, health , hone#t and ha'' live#, #o lon* a# thei! nat"!e allo&ed, and a# the contin"ed to en2o the 'lea#"!e# o% +"t"al and inde'endent inte!co"!#e- B"t %!o+ the +o+ent one +an (e*an to #tand in need o% the hel' o% anothe!, %!o+ the +o+ent it a''ea!ed advanta*eo"# to an one +an to have eno"*h '!ovi#ion# %o! t&o, e."alit di#a''ea!ed, '!o'e!t &a# int!od"ced, &o!) (eca+e indi#'en#a(le, and va#t %o!e#t# (eca+e #+ilin* %ield#, &hich +an had to &ate! &ith the #&eat o% hi# (!o&, and &he!e #lave! and +i#e! &e!e #oon #een to *e!+inate and *!o& "' &ith the c!o'#Metall"!* and a*!ic"lt"!e &e!e the t&o a!t# &hich '!od"ced thi# *!eat !evol"tion- The 'oet# tell "# it &a# *old and #ilve!, ("t, %o! the 'hilo#o'he!#, it &a# i!on and co!n, &hich %i!#t civili#ed +en, and !"ined h"+anit - Th"# (oth &e!e "n)no&n to the #ava*e# o% A+e!ica, &ho %o! that !ea#on a!e #till #ava*e1 the othe! nation# al#o #ee+ to have contin"ed in a #tate o% (a!(a!i#+ &hile the '!acti#ed onl one o% the#e a!t#- One o% the (e#t !ea#on#, 'e!ha'#, &h E"!o'e ha# (een, i% not lon*e!, at lea#t +o!e con#tantl and hi*hl civili#ed than the !e#t o% the &o!ld, i# that it i# at once the +o#t a("ndant in i!on and the +o#t %e!tile in co!nIt i# di%%ic"lt to con2ect"!e ho& +en %i!#t ca+e to )no& and "#e i!on, %o! it i# i+'o##i(le to #"''o#e the &o"ld o% the+#elve# thin) o% di**in* the o!e o"t o% the +ine, and '!e'a!in* it %o! #+eltin*, (e%o!e the )ne& &hat &o"ld (e the !e#"lt- On the othe! hand, &e have the le## !ea#on to #"''o#e thi# di#cove! the e%%ect o% an accidental %i!e, a# +ine# a!e onl %o!+ed in (a!!en 'lace#, (a!e o% t!ee# and 'lant#, #o that it loo)# a# i% nat"!e had ta)en 'ain# to )ee' that %atal #ec!et %!o+ "#- The!e !e+ain#, the!e%o!e, onl the e0t!ao!dina! accident o% #o+e volcano &hich, ( e2ectin* +etallic #"(#tance# al!ead in %"#ion, #"**e#ted to the #'ectato!# the idea o% i+itatin* the nat"!al o'e!ation- And &e +"#t %"!the! conceive the+ a# 'o##e##ed o% "nco++on co"!a*e and %o!e#i*ht, to "nde!ta)e #o la(o!io"# a &o!), &ith #o di#tant a '!o#'ect o% d!a&in* advanta*e %!o+ it, et the#e ."alitie# a!e "nited onl in +ind# +o!e advanced than &e can #"''o#e tho#e o% the#e %i!#t di#cove!e!# to have (een3ith !e*a!d to a*!ic"lt"!e, the '!inci'le# o% it &e!e )no&n lon* (e%o!e the &e!e '"t in '!actice, and it i# indeed ha!dl 'o##i(le that +en, con#tantl e+'lo ed in d!a&in* thei! #"(#i#tence %!o+ 'lant# and t!ee#, #ho"ld not !eadil ac."i!e a )no&led*e o% the +ean# +ade "#e o% ( nat"!e %o! ;5
the '!o'a*ation o% ve*eta(le#- It &a# in all '!o(a(ilit ve! lon*, ho&eve!, (e%o!e thei! ind"#t! too) that t"!n, eithe! (eca"#e t!ee#, &hich to*ethe! &ith h"ntin* and %i#hin* a%%o!ded the+ %ood, did not !e."i!e thei! attention, o! (eca"#e the &e!e i*no!ant o% the "#e o% co!n, o! &itho"t in#t!"+ent# to c"ltivate it, o! (eca"#e the lac)ed %o!e#i*ht to %"t"!e need#, o! la#til , (eca"#e the &e!e &itho"t +ean# o% '!eventin* othe!# %!o+ !o((in* the+ o% the %!"it o% thei! la(o"!3hen the *!e& +o!e ind"#t!io"#, it i# nat"!al to (elieve that the (e*an, &ith the hel' o% #ha!' #tone# and 'ointed #tic)#, to c"ltivate a %e& ve*eta(le# o! !oot# a!o"nd thei! h"t#, tho"*h it &a# lon* (e%o!e the )ne& ho& to '!e'a!e co!n, o! &e!e '!ovided &ith the i+'le+ent# nece##a! %o! !ai#in* it in an la!*e ."antit , not to +ention ho& e##ential it i#, %o! h"#(and! , to con#ent to i++ediate lo##, in o!de! to !ea' a %"t"!e *ain G a '!eca"tion ve! %o!ei*n to the t"!n o% a #ava*e@# +ind, %o!, a# I have #aid, he ha!dl %o!e#ee# in the +o!nin* &hat he &ill need at ni*htThe invention o% the othe! a!t# +"#t the!e%o!e have (een nece##a! to co+'el +an)ind to a''l the+#elve# to a*!ic"lt"!e- No #oone! &e!e a!ti%ice!# &anted to #+elt and %o!*e i!on, than othe!# &e!e !e."i!ed to +aintain the+, the +o!e hand# that &e!e e+'lo ed in +an"%act"!e#, the %e&e! &e!e le%t to '!ovide %o! the co++on #"(#i#tence, tho"*h the n"+(e! o% +o"th# to (e %"!ni#hed &ith %ood !e+ained the #a+e1 and a# #o+e !e."i!ed co++oditie# in e0chan*e %o! thei! i!on, the !e#t at len*th di#cove!ed the +ethod o% +a)in* i!on #e!ve %o! the +"lti'lication o% co++oditie#B thi# +ean# the a!t# o% h"#(and! and a*!ic"lt"!e &e!e e#ta(li#hed on the one hand, and the a!t o% &o!)in* +etal# and +"lti'l in* thei! "#e# on the othe!The c"ltivation o% the ea!th nece##a!il (!o"*ht a(o"t it# di#t!i("tion, and '!o'e!t , once !eco*ni#ed, *ave !i#e to the %i!#t !"le# o% 2"#tice, %o!, to #ec"!e each +an hi# o&n, it had to (e 'o##i(le %o! each to have #o+ethin*- Be#ide#, a# +en (e*an to loo) %o!&a!d to the %"t"!e, and all had #o+ethin* to lo#e, eve! one had !ea#on to a''!ehend that !e'!i#al# &o"ld %ollo& an in2"! he +i*ht do to anothe!- Thi# o!i*in i# #o +"ch the +o!e nat"!al, a# it i# i+'o##i(le to conceive ho& '!o'e!t can co+e %!o+ an thin* ("t +an"al la(o"!1 %o! &hat el#e can a +an add to thin*# &hich he doe# not o!i*inall c!eate, #o a# to +a)e the+ hi# o&n '!o'e!t / It i# the h"#(and+an@# la(o"! alone that, *ivin* hi+ a title to the '!od"ce o% the *!o"nd he ha# tilled, *ive# hi+ a clai+ al#o to the land it#el%, at lea#t till ha!ve#t, and #o, %!o+ ea! to ea!, a con#tant 'o##e##ion &hich i# ea#il t!an#%o!+ed into '!o'e!t - 3hen the ancient#, #a # G!oti"#, *ave to Ce!e# the title o% Le*i#lat!i0, and to a %e#tival cele(!ated in he! hono"! the na+e o% The#+o'ho!ia, the +eant ( that that the di#t!i("tion o% land# had '!od"ced a ne& )ind o% !i*ht1 that i# to #a , the !i*ht o% '!o'e!t , &hich i# di%%e!ent %!o+ the !i*ht ded"ci(le %!o+ the la& o% nat"!eIn thi# #tate o% a%%ai!#, e."alit +i*ht have (een #"#tained, had the talent# o% individ"al# (een e."al, and had, %o! e0a+'le, the "#e o% i!on and the con#"+'tion o% co++oditie# al&a # e0actl (alanced each othe!, ("t, a# the!e &a# nothin* to '!e#e!ve thi# (alance, it &a# #oon di#t"!(ed, the #t!on*e#t did +o#t &o!), the +o#t #)il%"l t"!ned hi# la(o"! to (e#t acco"nt, the +o#t in*enio"# devi#ed +ethod# o% di+ini#hin* hi# la(o"!1 the h"#(and+an &anted +o!e i!on, o! the #+ith +o!e co!n, and, &hile (oth la(o"!ed e."all , the one *ained a *!eat deal ( hi# &o!), &hile the othe! co"ld ha!dl #"''o!t hi+#el%- Th"# nat"!al ine."alit "n%old# it#el% in#en#i(l &ith that o% co+(ination, and the di%%e!ence (et&een +en, develo'ed ( thei! di%%e!ent ci!c"+#tance#, (eco+e# +o!e #en#i(le and 'e!+anent in it# e%%ect#, and (e*in# to have an in%l"ence, in the #a+e '!o'o!tion, ove! the lot o% individ"al#Matte!# once at thi# 'itch, it i# ea# to i+a*ine the !e#t- I #hall not detain the !eade! &ith a de#c!i'tion o% the #"cce##ive invention o% othe! a!t#, the develo'+ent o% lan*"a*e, the t!ial and "tili#ation o% talent#, the ine."alit o% %o!t"ne#, the "#e and a("#e o% !iche#, and all the detail# connected &ith the+ &hich the !eade! can ea#il #"''l %o! hi+#el%- I #hall con%ine + #el% to a *lance at +an)ind in thi# ne& #it"ation;8
Behold then all h"+an %ac"ltie# develo'ed, +e+o! and i+a*ination in %"ll 'la , e*oi#+ inte!e#ted, !ea#on active, and the +ind al+o#t at the hi*he#t 'oint o% it# 'e!%ection- Behold all the nat"!al ."alitie# in action, the !an) and condition o% eve! +an a##i*ned hi+, not +e!el hi# #ha!e o% '!o'e!t and hi# 'o&e! to #e!ve o! in2"!e othe!#, ("t al#o hi# &it, (ea"t , #t!en*th o! #)ill, +e!it o! talent#1 and the#e (ein* the onl ."alitie# ca'a(le o% co++andin* !e#'ect, it #oon (eca+e nece##a! to 'o##e## o! to a%%ect the+It no& (eca+e the inte!e#t o% +en to a''ea! &hat the !eall &e!e not- To (e and to #ee+ (eca+e t&o totall di%%e!ent thin*#, and %!o+ thi# di#tinction #'!an* in#olent 'o+' and cheatin* t!ic)e! , &ith all the n"+e!o"# vice# that *o in thei! t!ain- On the othe! hand, %!ee and inde'endent a# +en &e!e (e%o!e, the &e!e no&, in con#e."ence o% a +"lti'licit o% ne& &ant#, (!o"*ht into #"(2ection, a# it &e!e, to all nat"!e, and 'a!tic"la!l to one anothe!, and each (eca+e in #o+e de*!ee a #lave even in (eco+in* the +a#te! o% othe! +en1 i% !ich, the #tood in need o% the #e!vice# o% othe!#, i% 'oo!, o% thei! a##i#tance, and even a +iddle condition did not ena(le the+ to do &itho"t one anothe!- Man +"#t no&, the!e%o!e, have (een 'e!'et"all e+'lo ed in *ettin* othe!# to inte!e#t the+#elve# in hi# lot, and in +a)in* the+, a''a!entl at lea#t, i% not !eall , %ind thei! advanta*e in '!o+otin* hi# o&n- Th"# he +"#t have (een #l and a!t%"l in hi# (ehavio"! to #o+e, and i+'e!io"# and c!"el to othe!#, (ein* "nde! a )ind o% nece##it to ill7"#e all the 'e!#on# o% &ho+ he #tood in need, &hen he co"ld not %!i*hten the+ into co+'liance, and did not 2"d*e it hi# inte!e#t to (e "#e%"l to the+- In#atia(le a+(ition, the thi!#t o% !ai#in* thei! !e#'ective %o!t"ne#, not #o +"ch %!o+ !eal &ant a# %!o+ the de#i!e to #"!'a## othe!#, in#'i!ed all +en &ith a vile '!o'en#it to in2"!e one anothe!, and &ith a #ec!et 2ealo"# , &hich i# the +o!e dan*e!o"#, a# it '"t# on the +a#) o% (enevolence, to ca!! it# 'oint &ith *!eate! #ec"!it - In a &o!d, the!e a!o#e !ival! and co+'etition on the one hand, and con%lictin* inte!e#t# on the othe!, to*ethe! &ith a #ec!et de#i!e on (oth o% '!o%itin* at the e0'en#e o% othe!#- All the#e evil# &e!e the %i!#t e%%ect# o% '!o'e!t , and the in#e'a!a(le attendant# o% *!o&in* ine."alit Be%o!e the invention o% #i*n# to !e'!e#ent !iche#, &ealth co"ld ha!dl con#i#t in an thin* ("t land# and cattle, the onl !eal 'o##e##ion# +en can have- B"t, &hen inhe!itance# #o inc!ea#ed in n"+(e! and e0tent a# to occ"' the &hole o% the land, and to (o!de! on one anothe!, one +an co"ld a**!andi#e hi+#el% onl at the e0'en#e o% anothe!, at the #a+e ti+e the #"'e!n"+e!a!ie#, &ho had (een too &ea) o! too indolent to +a)e #"ch ac."i#ition#, and had *!o&n 'oo! &itho"t #"#tainin* an lo##, (eca"#e, &hile the #a& eve! thin* chan*e a!o"nd the+, the !e+ained #till the #a+e, &e!e o(li*ed to !eceive thei! #"(#i#tence, o! #teal it, %!o+ the !ich, and thi# #oon (!ed, acco!din* to thei! di%%e!ent cha!acte!#, do+inion and #lave! , o! violence and !a'ine- The &ealth , on thei! 'a!t, had no #oone! (e*"n to ta#te the 'lea#"!e o% co++and, than the di#dained all othe!#, and, "#in* thei! old #lave# to ac."i!e ne&, tho"*ht o% nothin* ("t #"(d"in* and en#lavin* thei! nei*h(o"!#, li)e !aveno"# &olve#, &hich, havin* once ta#ted h"+an %le#h, de#'i#e eve! othe! %ood and thence%o!th #ee) onl +en to devo"!Th"#, a# the +o#t 'o&e!%"l o! the +o#t +i#e!a(le con#ide!ed thei! +i*ht o! +i#e! a# a )ind o% !i*ht to the 'o##e##ion# o% othe!#, e."ivalent, in thei! o'inion, to that o% '!o'e!t , the de#t!"ction o% e."alit &a# attended ( the +o#t te!!i(le di#o!de!#- U#"!'ation# ( the !ich, !o((e! ( the 'oo!, and the "n(!idled 'a##ion# o% (oth, #"''!e##ed the c!ie# o% nat"!al co+'a##ion and the #till %ee(le voice o% 2"#tice, and %illed +en &ith ava!ice, a+(ition and vice- Bet&een the title o% the #t!on*e#t and that o% the %i!#t occ"'ie!, the!e a!o#e 'e!'et"al con%lict#, &hich neve! ended ("t in (attle# and (lood#hed- The ne&7(o!n #tate o% #ociet th"# *ave !i#e to a ho!!i(le #tate o% &a!, +en th"# ha!a##ed and de'!aved &e!e no lon*e! ca'a(le o% !et!acin* thei! #te'# o! !eno"ncin* the %atal ac."i#ition# the had +ade, ("t, la(o"!in* ( the a("#e o% the %ac"ltie# &hich do the+ hono"!, +e!el to thei! o&n con%"#ion, (!o"*ht the+#elve# to the (!in) o% !"in-
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Attonitus novitate mali, divesque miserque, 'ffugere optat opes( et qu) modo voverat odit.% It i# i+'o##i(le that +en #ho"ld not at len*th have !e%lected on #o &!etched a #it"ation, and on the cala+itie# that ove!&hel+ed the+- The !ich, in 'a!tic"la!, +"#t have %elt ho& +"ch the #"%%e!ed ( a con#tant #tate o% &a!, o% &hich the (o!e all the e0'en#e, and in &hich, tho"*h all !i#)ed thei! live#, the alone !i#)ed thei! '!o'e!t - Be#ide#, ho&eve! #'ecio"#l the +i*ht di#*"i#e thei! "#"!'ation#, the )ne& that the &e!e %o"nded on '!eca!io"# and %al#e title#, #o that, i% othe!# too) %!o+ the+ ( %o!ce &hat the the+#elve# had *ained ( %o!ce, the &o"ld have no !ea#on to co+'lain- Even tho#e &ho had (een en!iched ( thei! o&n ind"#t! , co"ld ha!dl (a#e thei! '!o'!ieto!#hi' on (ette! clai+#- It &a# in vain to !e'eat, 9I ("ilt thi# &ell, I *ained thi# #'ot ( + ind"#t! -9 3ho *ave o" o"! #tandin*, it +i*ht (e an#&e!ed, and &hat !i*ht have o" to de+and 'a +ent o% "# %o! doin* &hat &e neve! a#)ed o" to do/ Do o" not )no& that n"+(e!# o% o"! %ello&7c!eat"!e# a!e #ta!vin*, %o! &ant o% &hat o" have too +"ch o%/ :o" o"*ht to have had the e0'!e## and "nive!#al con#ent o% +an)ind, (e%o!e a''!o'!iatin* +o!e o% the co++on #"(#i#tence than o" needed %o! o"! o&n +aintenance- De#tit"te o% valid !ea#on# to 2"#ti% and #"%%icient #t!en*th to de%end hi+#el%, a(le to c!"#h individ"al# &ith ea#e, ("t ea#il c!"#hed hi+#el% ( a t!oo' o% (andit#, one a*ain#t all, and inca'a(le, on acco"nt o% +"t"al 2ealo"# , o% 2oinin* &ith hi# e."al# a*ain#t n"+e!o"# ene+ie# "nited ( the co++on ho'e o% 'l"nde!, the !ich +an, th"# "!*ed ( nece##it , conceived at len*th the '!o%o"nde#t 'lan that eve! ente!ed the +ind o% +an1 thi# &a# to e+'lo in hi# %avo"! the %o!ce# o% tho#e &ho attac)ed hi+, to +a)e allie# o% hi# adve!#a!ie#, to in#'i!e the+ &ith di%%e!ent +a0i+#, and to *ive the+ othe! in#tit"tion# a# %avo"!a(le to hi+#el% a# the la& o% nat"!e &a# "n%avo"!a(le3ith thi# vie&, a%te! havin* !e'!e#ented to hi# nei*h(o"!# the ho!!o! o% a #it"ation &hich a!+ed eve! +an a*ain#t the !e#t, and +ade thei! 'o##e##ion# a# ("!den#o+e to the+ a# thei! &ant#, and in &hich no #a%et co"ld (e e0'ected eithe! in !iche# o! in 'ove!t , he !eadil devi#ed 'la"#i(le a!*"+ent# to +a)e the+ clo#e &ith hi# de#i*n- 9Let "# 2oin,9 #aid he, 9to *"a!d the &ea) %!o+ o''!e##ion, to !e#t!ain the a+(itio"#, and #ec"!e to eve! +an the 'o##e##ion o% &hat (elon*# to hi+1 let "# in#tit"te !"le# o% 2"#tice and 'eace, to &hich all &itho"t e0ce'tion +a (e o(li*ed to con%o!+, !"le# that +a in #o+e +ea#"!e +a)e a+end# %o! the ca'!ice# o% %o!t"ne, ( #"(2ectin* e."all the 'o&e!%"l and the &ea) to the o(#e!vance o% !eci'!ocal o(li*ation#- Let "#, in a &o!d, in#tead o% t"!nin* o"! %o!ce# a*ain#t o"!#elve#, collect the+ in a #"'!e+e 'o&e! &hich +a *ove!n "# ( &i#e la&#, '!otect and de%end all the +e+(e!# o% the a##ociation, !e'"l#e thei! co++on ene+ie#, and +aintain ete!nal ha!+on a+on* "#-9 Fa! %e&e! &o!d# to thi# '"!'o#e &o"ld have (een eno"*h to i+'o#e on +en #o (a!(a!o"# and ea#il #ed"ced, e#'eciall a# the had too +an di#'"te# a+on* the+#elve# to do &itho"t a!(it!ato!#, and too +"ch a+(ition and ava!ice to *o lon* &itho"t +a#te!#- All !an headlon* to thei! chain#, in ho'e# o% #ec"!in* thei! li(e!t , %o! the had 2"#t &it eno"*h to 'e!ceive the advanta*e# o% 'olitical in#tit"tion#, &itho"t e0'e!ience eno"*h to ena(le the+ to %o!e#ee the dan*e!#- The +o#t ca'a(le o% %o!e#eein* the dan*e!# &e!e the ve! 'e!#on# &ho e0'ected to (ene%it ( the+, and even the +o#t '!"dent 2"d*ed it not ine0'edient to #ac!i%ice one 'a!t o% thei! %!eedo+ to en#"!e the !e#t, a# a &o"nded +an ha# hi# a!+ c"t o%% to #ave the !e#t o% hi# (od S"ch &a#, o! +a &ell have (een, the o!i*in o% #ociet and la&, &hich (o"nd ne& %ette!# on the 'oo!, and *ave ne& 'o&e!# to the !ich, &hich i!!et!ieva(l de#t!o ed nat"!al li(e!t , ete!nall %i0ed the la& o% '!o'e!t and ine."alit , conve!ted cleve! "#"!'ation into "nalte!a(le !i*ht, and, %o! the advanta*e o% a %e& a+(itio"# individ"al#, #"(2ected all +an)ind to 'e!'et"al la(o"!, #lave! and &!etchedne##- It i# ea# to #ee ho& the e#ta(li#h+ent o% one co++"nit +ade that o% all the !e#t nece##a! , and ho&, in o!de! to +a)e head a*ain#t "nited %o!ce#, the !e#t o% +an)ind had to "nite in t"!n- Societie# #oon +"lti'lied and #'!ead ove! the %ace o% the ea!th, till ha!dl a ;?
co!ne! o% the &o!ld &a# le%t in &hich a +an co"ld e#ca'e the o)e, and &ithd!a& hi# head %!o+ (eneath the #&o!d &hich he #a& 'e!'et"all han*in* ove! hi+ ( a th!ead- Civil !i*ht havin* th"# (eco+e the co++on !"le a+on* the +e+(e!# o% each co++"nit , the la& o% nat"!e +aintained it# 'lace onl (et&een di%%e!ent co++"nitie#, &he!e, "nde! the na+e o% the !i*ht o% nation#, it &a# ."ali%ied ( ce!tain tacit convention#, in o!de! to +a)e co++e!ce '!actica(le, and #e!ve a# a #"(#tit"te %o! nat"!al co+'a##ion, &hich lo#t, &hen a''lied to #ocietie#, al+o#t all the in%l"ence it had ove! individ"al#, and #"!vived no lon*e! e0ce't in #o+e *!eat co#+o'olitan #'i!it#, &ho, (!ea)in* do&n the i+a*ina! (a!!ie!# that #e'a!ate di%%e!ent 'eo'le#, %ollo& the e0a+'le o% o"! Sove!ei*n C!eato!, and incl"de the &hole h"+an !ace in thei! (enevolenceB"t (odie# 'olitic, !e+ainin* th"# in a #tate o% nat"!e a+on* the+#elve#, '!e#entl e0'e!ienced the inconvenience# &hich had o(li*ed individ"al# to %o!#a)e it, %o! thi# #tate (eca+e #till +o!e %atal to the#e *!eat (odie# than it had (een to the individ"al# o% &ho+ the &e!e co+'o#edHence a!o#e national &a!#, (attle#, +"!de!#, and !e'!i#al#, &hich #hoc) nat"!e and o"t!a*e !ea#on, to*ethe! &ith all tho#e ho!!i(le '!e2"dice# &hich cla## a+on* the vi!t"e# the hono"! o% #heddin* h"+an (lood- The +o#t di#tin*"i#hed +en hence lea!ned to con#ide! c"ttin* each othe!@# th!oat# a d"t , at len*th +en +a##ac!ed thei! %ello&7c!eat"!e# ( tho"#and# &itho"t #o +"ch a# )no&in* &h , and co++itted +o!e +"!de!# in a #in*le da @# %i*htin*, and +o!e violent o"t!a*e# in the #ac) o% a #in*le to&n, than &e!e co++itted in the #tate o% nat"!e d"!in* &hole a*e# ove! the &hole ea!th- S"ch &e!e the %i!#t e%%ect# &hich &e can #ee to have %ollo&ed the divi#ion o% +an)ind into di%%e!ent co++"nitie#- B"t let "# !et"!n to thei! in#tit"tion#I )no& that #o+e &!ite!# have *iven othe! e0'lanation# o% the o!i*in o% 'olitical #ocietie#, #"ch a# the con."e#t o% the 'o&e!%"l, o! the a##ociation o% the &ea)- It i#, indeed, indi%%e!ent to + a!*"+ent &hich o% the#e ca"#e# &e choo#e- That &hich I have 2"#t laid do&n, ho&eve!, a''ea!# to +e the +o#t nat"!al %o! the %ollo&in* !ea#on#- Fi!#t1 (eca"#e, in the %i!#t ca#e, the !i*ht o% con."e#t, (ein* no !i*ht in it#el%, co"ld not #e!ve a# a %o"ndation on &hich to ("ild an othe!, the victo! and the van."i#hed 'eo'le #till !e+ained &ith !e#'ect to each othe! in the #tate o% &a!, "nle## the van."i#hed, !e#to!ed to the %"ll 'o##e##ion o% thei! li(e!t , vol"nta!il +ade choice o% the victo! %o! thei! chie%- Fo! till then, &hateve! ca'it"lation +a have (een +ade (ein* %o"nded on violence, and the!e%o!e ipso facto void, the!e co"ld not have (een on thi# h 'othe#i# eithe! a !eal #ociet o! (od 'olitic, o! an la& othe! than that o% the #t!on*e#t- Secondl 1 (eca"#e the &o!d# strong and wea* a!e, in the #econd ca#e, a+(i*"o"#, %o! d"!in* the inte!val (et&een the e#ta(li#h+ent o% a !i*ht o% '!o'e!t , o! '!io! occ"'anc , and that o% 'olitical *ove!n+ent, the +eanin* o% the#e &o!d# i# (ette! e0'!e##ed ( the te!+# rich and poor1 (eca"#e, in %act, (e%o!e the in#tit"tion o% la&#, +en had no othe! &a o% !ed"cin* thei! e."al# to #"(+i##ion, than ( attac)in* thei! *ood#, o! +a)in* #o+e o% thei! o&n ove! to the+- Thi!dl 1 (eca"#e, a# the 'oo! had nothin* ("t thei! %!eedo+ to lo#e, it &o"ld have (een in the hi*he#t de*!ee a(#"!d %o! the+ to !e#i*n vol"nta!il the onl *ood the #till en2o ed, &itho"t *ettin* an thin* in e0chan*e1 &he!ea# the !ich havin* %eelin*#, i% I +a #o e0'!e## + #el%, in eve! 'a!t o% thei! 'o##e##ion#, it &a# +"ch ea#ie! to ha!+ the+, and the!e%o!e +o!e nece##a! %o! the+ to ta)e '!eca"tion# a*ain#t it, and, in #ho!t, (eca"#e it i# +o!e !ea#ona(le to #"''o#e a thin* to have (een invented ( tho#e to &ho+ it &o"ld (e o% #e!vice, than ( tho#e &ho+ it +"#t have ha!+edGove!n+ent had, in it# in%anc , no !e*"la! and con#tant %o!+- The &ant o% e0'e!ience and 'hilo#o'h '!evented +en %!o+ #eein* an ("t '!e#ent inconvenience#, and the tho"*ht o% '!ovidin* a*ain#t othe!# onl a# the '!e#ented the+#elve#- In #'ite o% the endeavo"!# o% the &i#e#t le*i#lato!#, the 'olitical #tate !e+ained i+'e!%ect, (eca"#e it &a# little +o!e than the &o!) o% chance, and, a# it had (e*"n ill, tho"*h ti+e !evealed it# de%ect# and #"**e#ted !e+edie#, the o!i*inal %a"lt# &e!e neve! !e'ai!ed- It &a# contin"all (ein* 'atched "', &hen the %i!#t ta#) #ho"ld have (een to *et the #ite clea!ed and all the old +ate!ial# !e+oved, a# &a# done ( L c"!*"# at S'a!ta, i% a #ta(le and la#tin* edi%ice &a# to (e e!ected- Societ con#i#ted at %i!#t ;4
+e!el o% a %e& *ene!al convention#, &hich eve! +e+(e! (o"nd hi+#el% to o(#e!ve, and %o! the 'e!%o!+ance o% covenant# the &hole (od &ent #ec"!it to each individ"al- E0'e!ience onl co"ld #ho& the &ea)ne## o% #"ch a con#tit"tion, and ho& ea#il it +i*ht (e in%!in*ed &ith i+'"nit , %!o+ the di%%ic"lt o% convictin* +en o% %a"lt#, &he!e the '"(lic alone &a# to (e &itne## and 2"d*e1 the la&# co"ld not ("t (e el"ded in +an &a #, di#o!de!# and inconvenience# co"ld not ("t +"lti'l contin"all , till it (eca+e nece##a! to co++it the dan*e!o"# t!"#t o% '"(lic a"tho!it to '!ivate 'e!#on#, and the ca!e o% en%o!cin* o(edience to the deli(e!ation# o% the 'eo'le to the +a*i#t!ate- Fo! to #a that chie%# &e!e cho#en (e%o!e the con%ede!ac &a# %o!+ed, and that the ad+ini#t!ato!# o% the la&# &e!e the!e (e%o!e the la&# the+#elve#, i# too a(#"!d a #"''o#ition to con#ide! #e!io"#l It &o"ld (e a# "n!ea#ona(le to #"''o#e that +en at %i!#t th!e& the+#elve# i!!et!ieva(l and "nconditionall into the a!+# o% an a(#ol"te +a#te!, and that the %i!#t e0'edient &hich '!o"d and "n#"(d"ed +en hit "'on %o! thei! co++on #ec"!it &a# to !"n headlon* into #lave! - Fo! &hat !ea#on, in %act, did the ta)e to the+#elve# #"'e!io!#, i% it &a# not in o!de! that the +i*ht (e de%ended %!o+ o''!e##ion, and have '!otection %o! thei! live#, li(e!tie# and '!o'e!tie#, &hich a!e, #o to #'ea), the con#tit"ent ele+ent# o% thei! (ein*/ No&, in the !elation# (et&een +an and +an, the &o!#t that can ha''en i# %o! one to %ind hi+#el% at the +e!c o% anothe!, and it &o"ld have (een incon#i#tent &ith co++on7#en#e to (e*in ( (e#to&in* on a chie% the onl thin*# the &anted hi# hel' to '!e#e!ve- 3hat e."ivalent co"ld he o%%e! the+ %o! #o *!eat a !i*ht/ And i% he had '!e#"+ed to e0act it "nde! '!ete0t o% de%endin* the+, &o"ld he not have !eceived the an#&e! !eco!ded in the %a(le1 93hat +o!e can the ene+ do to "#/9 It i# the!e%o!e (e ond di#'"te, and indeed the %"nda+ental +a0i+ o% all 'olitical !i*ht, that 'eo'le have #et "' chie%# to '!otect thei! li(e!t , and not to en#lave the+- +f we have a prince, #aid 6lin to T!a2an, it is to save ourselves from having a master6olitician# ind"l*e in the #a+e #o'hi#t! a(o"t the love o% li(e!t a# 'hilo#o'he!# a(o"t the #tate o% nat"!e- The 2"d*e, ( &hat the #ee, o% ve! di%%e!ent thin*#, &hich the have not #een, and att!i("te to +an a nat"!al '!o'en#it to #e!vit"de, (eca"#e the #lave# &ithin thei! o(#e!vation a!e #een to (ea! the o)e &ith 'atience, the %ail to !e%lect that it i# &ith li(e!t a# &ith innocence and vi!t"e, the val"e i# )no&n onl to tho#e &ho 'o##e## the+, and the ta#te %o! the+ i# %o!%eited &hen the a!e %o!%eited the+#elve#- 9I )no& the cha!+# o% o"! co"nt! ,9 #aid B!a#ida# to a #at!a', &ho &a# co+'a!in* the li%e at S'a!ta &ith that at 6e!#e'oli#, 9("t o" cannot )no& the 'lea#"!e# o% +ine-9 An "n(!o)en ho!#e e!ect# hi# +ane, 'a&# the *!o"nd and #ta!t# (ac) i+'et"o"#l at the #i*ht o% the (!idle, &hile one &hich i# '!o'e!l t!ained #"%%e!# 'atientl even &hi' and #'"!1 #o #ava*e +an &ill not (end hi# nec) to the o)e to &hich civili#ed +an #"(+it# &itho"t a +"!+"!, ("t '!e%e!# the +o#t t"!("lent #tate o% li(e!t to the +o#t 'eace%"l #lave! - 3e cannot the!e%o!e, %!o+ the #e!vilit o% nation# al!ead en#laved, 2"d*e o% the nat"!al di#'o#ition o% +an)ind %o! o! a*ain#t #lave! , &e #ho"ld *o ( the '!odi*io"# e%%o!t# o% eve! %!ee 'eo'le to #ave it#el% %!o+ o''!e##ion- I )no& that the %o!+e! a!e %o! eve! holdin* %o!th in '!ai#e o% the t!an."illit the en2o in thei! chain#, and that the call a #tate o% &!etched #e!vit"de a #tate o% 'eace1 miserrimam servitutem pacem appellant-+ B"t &hen I o(#e!ve the latte! #ac!i%icin* 'lea#"!e, 'eace, &ealth, 'o&e! and li%e it#el% to the '!e#e!vation o% that one t!ea#"!e, &hich i# #o di#dained ( tho#e &ho have lo#t it, &hen I #ee %!ee7(o!n ani+al# da#h thei! (!ain# o"t a*ain#t the (a!# o% thei! ca*e, %!o+ an innate i+'atience o% ca'tivit , &hen I (ehold n"+(e!# o% na)ed #ava*e#, that de#'i#e E"!o'ean 'lea#"!e#, (!avin* h"n*e!, %i!e, the #&o!d and death, to '!e#e!ve nothin* ("t thei! inde'endence, I %eel that it i# not %o! #lave# to a!*"e a(o"t li(e!t 3ith !e*a!d to 'ate!nal a"tho!it , %!o+ &hich #o+e &!ite!# have de!ived a(#ol"te *ove!n+ent and all #ociet , it i# eno"*h, &itho"t *oin* (ac) to the cont!a! a!*"+ent# o% Loc)e and Sidne , ;D
to !e+a!) that nothin* on ea!th can (e %"!the! %!o+ the %e!ocio"# #'i!it o% de#'oti#+ than the +ildne## o% that a"tho!it &hich loo)# +o!e to the advanta*e o% hi+ &ho o(e # than to that o% hi+ &ho co++and#, that, ( the la& o% nat"!e, the %athe! i# the child@# +a#te! no lon*e! than hi# hel' i# nece##a! , that %!o+ that ti+e the a!e (oth e."al, the #on (ein* 'e!%ectl inde'endent o% the %athe!, and o&in* hi+ onl !e#'ect and not o(edience- Fo! *!atit"de i# a d"t &hich o"*ht to (e 'aid, ("t not a !i*ht to (e e0acted1 in#tead o% #a in* that civil #ociet i# de!ived %!o+ 'ate!nal a"tho!it , &e o"*ht to #a !athe! that the latte! de!ive# it# '!inci'al %o!ce %!o+ the %o!+e!- No individ"al &a# eve! ac)no&led*ed a# the %athe! o% +an , till hi# #on# and da"*hte!# !e+ained #ettled a!o"nd hi+- The *ood# o% the %athe!, o% &hich he i# !eall the +a#te!, a!e the tie# &hich )ee' hi# child!en in de'endence, and he +a (e#to& on the+, i% he 'lea#e#, no #ha!e o% hi# '!o'e!t , "nle## the +e!it it ( con#tant de%e!ence to hi# &ill- B"t the #"(2ect# o% an a!(it!a! de#'ot a!e #o %a! %!o+ havin* the li)e %avo"! to e0'ect %!o+ thei! chie%, that the the+#elve# and eve! thin* the 'o##e## a!e hi# '!o'e!t , o! at lea#t a!e con#ide!ed ( hi+ a# #"ch, #o that the a!e %o!ced to !eceive, a# a %avo"!, the little o% thei! o&n he i# 'lea#ed to leave the+- 3hen he de#'oil# the+, he doe# ("t 2"#tice, and +e!c in that he 'e!+it# the+ to liveB '!oceedin* th"# to te#t %act ( !i*ht, &e #ho"ld di#cove! a# little !ea#on a# t!"th in the vol"nta! e#ta(li#h+ent o% t !ann - It &o"ld al#o (e no ea# +atte! to '!ove the validit o% a cont!act (indin* on onl one o% the 'a!tie#, &he!e all the !i#) i# on one #ide, and none on the othe!, #o that no one co"ld #"%%e! ("t he &ho (o"nd hi+#el%- Thi# hate%"l # #te+ i# indeed, even in +ode!n ti+e#, ve! %a! %!o+ (ein* that o% &i#e and *ood +ona!ch#, and e#'eciall o% the )in*# o% F!ance, a# +a (e #een %!o+ #eve!al 'a##a*e# in thei! edict#, 'a!tic"la!l %!o+ the %ollo&in* 'a##a*e in a cele(!ated edict '"(li#hed in 5DDC in the na+e and ( o!de! o% Lo"i# JIV9Let it not, the!e%o!e, (e #aid that the Sove!ei*n i# not #"(2ect to the la&# o% hi# State, #ince the cont!a! i# a t!"e '!o'o#ition o% the !i*ht o% nation#, &hich %latte! ha# #o+eti+e# attac)ed ("t *ood '!ince# have al&a # de%ended a# the t"tela! divinit o% thei! do+inion#- Ho& +"ch +o!e le*iti+ate i# it to #a &ith the &i#e 6lato, that the 'e!%ect %elicit o% a )in*do+ con#i#t# in the o(edience o% #"(2ect# to thei! '!ince, and o% the '!ince to the la&#, and in the la&# (ein* 2"#t and con#tantl di!ected to the '"(lic *ood<9$ I #hall not #ta he!e to in."i!e &hethe!, a# li(e!t i# the no(le#t %ac"lt o% +an, it i# not de*!adin* o"! ve! nat"!e, !ed"cin* o"!#elve# to the level o% the (!"te#, &hich a!e +e!e #lave# o% in#tinct, and even an a%%!ont to the A"tho! o% o"! (ein*, to !eno"nce &itho"t !e#e!ve the +o#t '!ecio"# o% all Hi# *i%t#, and to (o& to the nece##it o% co++ittin* all the c!i+e# He ha# %o!(idden, +e!el to *!ati% a +ad o! a c!"el +a#te!, o! i% thi# #"(li+e c!a%t#+an o"*ht not to (e le## an*e!ed at #eein* Hi# &o!)+an#hi' enti!el de#t!o ed than th"# di#hono"!ed- I &ill &aive =i% + o''onent# 'lea#e> the a"tho!it o% Ba!(e !ac, &ho, %ollo&in* Loc)e, !o"ndl decla!e# that no +an can #o %a! #ell hi# li(e!t a# to #"(+it to an a!(it!a! 'o&e! &hich +a "#e hi+ a# it li)e#- ,or, he add#, this would be to sell his own life, of which he is not master- I #hall a#) onl &hat !i*ht tho#e &ho &e!e not a%!aid th"# to de(a#e the+#elve# co"ld have to #"(2ect thei! 'o#te!it to the #a+e i*no+in , and to !eno"nce %o! the+ tho#e (le##in*# &hich the do not o&e to the li(e!alit o% thei! '!o*enito!#, and &itho"t &hich li%e it#el% +"#t (e a ("!den to all &ho a!e &o!th o% it6"%%endo!% #a # that &e +a dive#t o"!#elve# o% o"! li(e!t in %avo"! o% othe! +en, 2"#t a# &e t!an#%e! o"! '!o'e!t %!o+ one to anothe! ( cont!act# and a*!ee+ent#- B"t thi# #ee+# a ve! &ea) a!*"+ent- Fo! in the %i!#t 'lace, the '!o'e!t I alienate (eco+e# ."ite %o!ei*n to +e, no! can I #"%%e! %!o+ the a("#e o% it, ("t it ve! nea!l conce!n# +e that + li(e!t #ho"ld not (e a("#ed, and I cannot &itho"t inc"!!in* the *"ilt o% the c!i+e# I +a (e co+'elled to co++it, e0'o#e + #el% to (eco+e an in#t!"+ent o% c!i+e- Be#ide#, the !i*ht o% '!o'e!t (ein* onl a convention o% h"+an in#tit"tion, +en +a di#'o#e o% &hat the 'o##e## a# the 'lea#e1 ("t thi# i# not the ca#e &ith the e##ential *i%t# o% nat"!e, #"ch a# li%e and li(e!t , &hich eve! +an i# ;C
'e!+itted to en2o , and o% &hich it i# at lea#t do"(t%"l &hethe! an have a !i*ht to dive#t the+#elve#- B *ivin* "' the one, &e de*!ade o"! (ein*, ( *ivin* "' the othe!, &e do o"! (e#t to ann"l it, and, a# no te+'o!al *ood can inde+ni% "# %o! the lo## o% eithe!, it &o"ld (e an o%%ence a*ain#t (oth !ea#on and nat"!e to !eno"nce the+ at an '!ice &hat#oeve!- B"t, even i% &e co"ld t!an#%e! o"! li(e!t , a# &e do o"! '!o'e!t , the!e &o"ld (e a *!eat di%%e!ence &ith !e*a!d to the child!en, &ho en2o the %athe!@# #"(#tance onl ( the t!an#+i##ion o% hi# !i*ht, &he!ea#, li(e!t (ein* a *i%t &hich the hold %!o+ nat"!e a# (ein* +en, thei! 'a!ent# have no !i*ht &hateve! to de'!ive the+ o% it- A# then, to e#ta(li#h #lave! , it &a# nece##a! to do violence to nat"!e, #o, in o!de! to 'e!'et"ate #"ch a !i*ht, nat"!e &o"ld have to (e chan*ed- A"!i#t#, &ho have *!avel dete!+ined that the child o% a #lave co+e# into the &o!ld a #lave, have decided, in othe! &o!d#, that a +an #hall co+e into the &o!ld not a +anI !e*a!d it then a# ce!tain, that *ove!n+ent did not (e*in &ith a!(it!a! 'o&e!, ("t that thi# i# the de'!avation, the e0t!e+e te!+, o% *ove!n+ent, and (!in*# it (ac), %inall , to 2"#t the la& o% the #t!on*e#t, &hich it &a# o!i*inall de#i*ned to !e+ed - S"''o#in*, ho&eve!, it had (e*"n in thi# +anne!, #"ch 'o&e!, (ein* in it#el% ille*iti+ate, co"ld not have #e!ved a# a (a#i# %o! the la&# o% #ociet , no!, con#e."entl , %o! the ine."alit the in#tit"ted3itho"t ente!in* at '!e#ent "'on the inve#ti*ation# &hich #till !e+ain to (e +ade into the nat"!e o% the %"nda+ental co+'act "nde!l in* all *ove!n+ent, I content + #el% &ith ado'tin* the co++on o'inion conce!nin* it, and !e*a!d the e#ta(li#h+ent o% the 'olitical (od a# a !eal cont!act (et&een the 'eo'le and the chie%# cho#en ( the+1 a cont!act ( &hich (oth 'a!tie# (ind the+#elve# to o(#e!ve the la&# the!ein e0'!e##ed, &hich %o!+ the tie# o% thei! "nion- The 'eo'le havin* in !e#'ect o% thei! #ocial !elation# concent!ated all thei! &ill# in one, the #eve!al a!ticle#, conce!nin* &hich thi# &ill i# e0'lained, (eco+e #o +an %"nda+ental la&#, o(li*ato! on all the +e+(e!# o% the State &itho"t e0ce'tion, and one o% the#e a!ticle# !e*"late# the choice and 'o&e! o% the +a*i#t!ate# a''ointed to &atch ove! the e0ec"tion o% the !e#t- Thi# 'o&e! e0tend# to eve! thin* &hich +a +aintain the con#tit"tion, &itho"t *oin* #o %a! a# to alte! it- It i# acco+'anied ( hono"!#, in o!de! to (!in* the la&# and thei! ad+ini#t!ato!# into !e#'ect- The +ini#te!# a!e al#o di#tin*"i#hed ( 'e!#onal '!e!o*ative#, in o!de! to !eco+'en#e the+ %o! the ca!e# and la(o"! &hich *ood ad+ini#t!ation involve#- The +a*i#t!ate, on hi# #ide, (ind# hi+#el% to "#e the 'o&e! he i# ent!"#ted &ith onl in con%o!+it &ith the intention o% hi# con#tit"ent#, to +aintain the+ all in the 'eacea(le 'o##e##ion o% &hat (elon*# to the+, and to '!e%e! on eve! occa#ion the '"(lic inte!e#t to hi# o&nBe%o!e e0'e!ience had #ho&n, o! )no&led*e o% the h"+an hea!t ena(led +en to %o!e#ee, the "navoida(le a("#e# o% #"ch a con#tit"tion, it +"#t have a''ea!ed #o +"ch the +o!e e0cellent, a# tho#e &ho &e!e cha!*ed &ith the ca!e o% it# '!e#e!vation had the+#elve# +o#t inte!e#t in it, %o! +a*i#t!ac and the !i*ht# attachin* to it (ein* (a#ed #olel on the %"nda+ental la&#, the +a*i#t!ate# &o"ld cea#e to (e le*iti+ate a# #oon a# the#e cea#ed to e0i#t, the 'eo'le &o"ld no lon*e! o&e the+ o(edience, and a# not the +a*i#t!ate#, ("t the la&#, a!e e##ential to the (ein* o% a State, the +e+(e!# o% it &o"ld !e*ain the !i*ht to thei! nat"!al li(e!t I% &e !e%lect &ith eve! #o little attention on thi# #"(2ect, &e #hall %ind ne& a!*"+ent# to con%i!+ thi# t!"th, and (e convinced %!o+ the ve! nat"!e o% the cont!act that it cannot (e i!!evoca(le1 %o!, i% the!e &e!e no #"'e!io! 'o&e! ca'a(le o% en#"!in* the %idelit o% the cont!actin* 'a!tie#, o! co+'ellin* the+ to 'e!%o!+ thei! !eci'!ocal en*a*e+ent#, the 'a!tie# &o"ld (e #ole 2"d*e# in thei! o&n ca"#e, and each &o"ld al&a # have a !i*ht to !eno"nce the cont!act, a# #oon a# he %o"nd that the othe! had violated it# te!+#, o! that the no lon*e! #"ited hi# convenience- It i# "'on thi# '!inci'le that the !i*ht o% a(dication +a 'o##i(l (e %o"nded- No&, i%, a# he!e, &e con#ide! onl &hat i# h"+an in thi# in#tit"tion, it i# ce!tain that, i% the +a*i#t!ate, &ho ha# all the 'o&e! in hi# o&n hand#, and a''!o'!iate# to hi+#el% all the advanta*e# o% the cont!act, ha# none ;F
the le## a !i*ht to !eno"nce hi# a"tho!it , the 'eo'le, &ho #"%%e! %o! all the %a"lt# o% thei! chie%, +"#t have a +"ch (ette! !i*ht to !eno"nce thei! de'endence- B"t the te!!i(le and inn"+e!a(le ."a!!el# and di#o!de!# that &o"ld nece##a!il a!i#e %!o+ #o dan*e!o"# a '!ivile*e, #ho&, +o!e than an thin* el#e, ho& +"ch h"+an *ove!n+ent #tood in need o% a +o!e #olid (a#i# than +e!e !ea#on, and ho& e0'edient it &a# %o! the '"(lic t!an."illit that the divine &ill #ho"ld inte!'o#e to inve#t the #ove!ei*n a"tho!it &ith a #ac!ed and inviola(le cha!acte!, &hich +i*ht de'!ive #"(2ect# o% the %atal !i*ht o% di#'o#in* o% it- I% the &o!ld had !eceived no othe! advanta*e# %!o+ !eli*ion, thi# &o"ld (e eno"*h to i+'o#e on +en the d"t o% ado'tin* and c"ltivatin* it, a("#e# and all, #ince it ha# (een the +ean# o% #avin* +o!e (lood than %anatici#+ ha# eve! #'ilt- B"t let "# %ollo& the th!ead o% o"! h 'othe#i#The di%%e!ent %o!+# o% *ove!n+ent o&e thei! o!i*in to the di%%e!in* de*!ee# o% ine."alit &hich e0i#ted (et&een individ"al# at the ti+e o% thei! in#tit"tion- I% the!e ha''ened to (e an one +an a+on* the+ '!e7e+inent in 'o&e!, vi!t"e, !iche# o! 'e!#onal in%l"ence, he (eca+e #ole +a*i#t!ate, and the State a##"+ed the %o!+ o% +ona!ch - I% #eve!al, nea!l e."al in 'oint o% e+inence, #tood a(ove the !e#t, the &e!e elected 2ointl , and %o!+ed an a!i#toc!ac - A*ain, a+on* a 'eo'le &ho had deviated le## %!o+ a #tate o% nat"!e, and (et&een &ho#e %o!t"ne o! talent# the!e &a# le## di#'!o'o!tion, the #"'!e+e ad+ini#t!ation &a# !etained in co++on, and a de+oc!ac &a# %o!+ed- It &a# di#cove!ed in '!oce## o% ti+e &hich o% the#e %o!+# #"ited +en the (e#t- So+e 'eo'le# !e+ained alto*ethe! #"(2ect to the la&#, othe!# #oon ca+e to o(e thei! +a*i#t!ate#- The citi$en# la(o"!ed to '!e#e!ve thei! li(e!t , the #"(2ect#, i!!itated at #eein* othe!# en2o in* a (le##in* the had lo#t, tho"*ht onl o% +a)in* #lave# o% thei! nei*h(o"!#- In a &o!d, on the one #ide a!o#e !iche# and con."e#t#, and on the othe! ha''ine## and vi!t"eIn the#e di%%e!ent *ove!n+ent#, all the o%%ice# &e!e at %i!#t elective, and &hen the in%l"ence o% &ealth &a# o"t o% the ."e#tion, the '!e%e!ence &a# *iven to +e!it, &hich *ive# a nat"!al a#cendanc , and to a*e, &hich i# e0'e!ienced in ("#ine## and deli(e!ate in co"ncil- The Elde!# o% the He(!e&#, the Ge!onte# at S'a!ta, the Senate at Ro+e, and the ve! et +olo* o% o"! &o!d Sei*ne"!, #ho& ho& old a*e &a# once held in vene!ation- B"t the +o!e o%ten the choice %ell "'on old +en, the +o!e o%ten election# had to (e !e'eated, and the +o!e the (eca+e a n"i#ance, int!i*"e# #et in, %action# &e!e %o!+ed, 'a!t %eelin* *!e& (itte!, civil &a!# (!o)e o"t, the live# o% individ"al# &e!e #ac!i%iced to the '!etended ha''ine## o% the State, and at len*th +en &e!e on the 'oint o% !ela'#in* into thei! '!i+itive ana!ch - A+(itio"# chie%# '!o%ited ( the#e ci!c"+#tance# to 'e!'et"ate thei! o%%ice# in thei! o&n %a+ilie#1 at the #a+e ti+e the 'eo'le, al!ead "#ed to de'endence, ea#e, and the convenience# o% li%e, and al!ead inca'a(le o% (!ea)in* it# %ette!#, a*!eed to an inc!ea#e o% it# #lave! , in o!de! to #ec"!e it# t!an."illit - Th"# +a*i#t!ate#, havin* (eco+e he!edita! , cont!acted the ha(it o% con#ide!in* thei! o%%ice# a# a %a+il e#tate, and the+#elve# a# '!o'!ieto!# o% the co++"nitie# o% &hich the &e!e at %i!#t onl the o%%ice!#, o% !e*a!din* thei! %ello&7citi$en# a# thei! #lave#, and n"+(e!in* the+, li)e cattle, a+on* thei! (elon*in*#, and o% callin* the+#elve# the e."al# o% the *od# and )in*# o% )in*#I% &e %ollo& the '!o*!e## o% ine."alit in the#e va!io"# !evol"tion#, &e #hall %ind that the e#ta(li#h+ent o% la&# and o% the !i*ht o% '!o'e!t &a# it# %i!#t te!+, the in#tit"tion o% +a*i#t!ac the #econd, and the conve!#ion o% le*iti+ate into a!(it!a! 'o&e! the thi!d and la#t, #o that the condition o% !ich and 'oo! &a# a"tho!i#ed ( the %i!#t 'e!iod, that o% 'o&e!%"l and &ea) ( the #econd, and onl ( the thi!d that o% +a#te! and #lave, &hich i# the la#t de*!ee o% ine."alit , and the te!+ at &hich all the !e#t !e+ain, &hen the have *ot #o %a!, till the *ove!n+ent i# eithe! enti!el di##olved ( ne& !evol"tion#, o! (!o"*ht (ac) a*ain to le*iti+ac To "nde!#tand thi# '!o*!e## a# nece##a! &e +"#t con#ide! not #o +"ch the +otive# %o! the e#ta(li#h+ent o% the (od 'olitic, a# the %o!+# it a##"+e# in act"alit , and the %a"lt# that nece##a!il attend it1 %o! the %la&# &hich +a)e #ocial in#tit"tion# nece##a! a!e the #a+e a# +a)e ;H
the a("#e o% the+ "navoida(le- I% &e e0ce't S'a!ta, &he!e the la&# &e!e +ainl conce!ned &ith the ed"cation o% child!en, and &he!e L c"!*"# e#ta(li#hed #"ch +o!alit a# '!acticall +ade la&# needle# G %o! la&# a# a !"le, (ein* &ea)e! than the 'a##ion#, !e#t!ain +en &itho"t alte!in* the+ G it &o"ld not (e di%%ic"lt to '!ove that eve! *ove!n+ent, &hich #c!"'"lo"#l co+'lied &ith the end# %o! &hich it &a# in#tit"ted, and *"a!ded ca!e%"ll a*ain#t chan*e and co!!"'tion, &a# #et "' "nnece##a!il - Fo! a co"nt! , in &hich no one eithe! evaded the la&# o! +ade a (ad "#e o% +a*i#te!ial 'o&e!, co"ld !e."i!e neithe! la&# no! +a*i#t!ate#6olitical di#tinction# nece##a!il '!od"ce civil di#tinction#- The *!o&in* e."alit (et&een the chie%# and the 'eo'le i# #oon %elt ( individ"al#, and +odi%ied in a tho"#and &a # acco!din* to 'a##ion#, talent# and ci!c"+#tance#- The +a*i#t!ate co"ld not "#"!' an ille*iti+ate 'o&e!, &itho"t *ivin* di#tinction to the c!eat"!e# &ith &ho+ he +"#t #ha!e it- Be#ide#, individ"al# onl allo& the+#elve# to (e o''!e##ed #o %a! a# the a!e h"!!ied on ( (lind a+(ition, and, loo)in* !athe! (elo& than a(ove the+, co+e to love a"tho!it +o!e than inde'endence, and #"(+it to #lave! , that the +a in t"!n en#lave othe!#- It i# no ea# +atte! to !ed"ce to o(edience a +an &ho ha# no a+(ition to co++and, no! &o"ld the +o#t ad!oit 'olitician %ind it 'o##i(le to en#lave a 'eo'le &ho#e onl de#i!e &a# to (e inde'endent- B"t ine."alit ea#il +a)e# it# &a a+on* co&a!dl and a+(itio"# +ind#, &hich a!e eve! !ead to !"n the !i#)# o% %o!t"ne, and al+o#t indi%%e!ent &hethe! the co++and o! o(e , a# it i# %avo"!a(le o! adve!#e- Th"#, the!e +"#t have (een a ti+e, &hen the e e# o% the 'eo'le &e!e #o %a#cinated, that thei! !"le# had onl to #a to the lea#t o% +en, 9Be *!eat, o" and all o"! 'o#te!it ,9 to +a)e hi+ i++ediatel a''ea! *!eat in the e e# o% eve! one a# &ell a# in hi# o&n- Hi# de#cendant# too) #till +o!e "'on the+, in '!o'o!tion to thei! di#tance %!o+ hi+, the +o!e o(#c"!e and "nce!tain the ca"#e, the *!eate! the e%%ect1 the *!eate! the n"+(e! o% idle!# one co"ld co"nt in a %a+il , the +o!e ill"#t!io"# it &a# held to (eI% thi# &e!e the 'lace to *o into detail#, I co"ld !eadil e0'lain ho&, even &itho"t the inte!vention o% *ove!n+ent, ine."alit o% c!edit and a"tho!it (eca+e "navoida(le a+on* '!ivate 'e!#on#, a# #oon a# thei! "nion in a #in*le #ociet +ade the+ co+'a!e the+#elve# one &ith anothe!, and ta)e into acco"nt the di%%e!ence# &hich the %o"nd o"t %!o+ the contin"al inte!co"!#e eve! +an had to have &ith hi# nei*h(o"!#-, The#e di%%e!ence# a!e o% #eve!al )ind#, ("t !iche#, no(ilit o! !an), 'o&e! and 'e!#onal +e!it (ein* the '!inci'al di#tinction# ( &hich +en %o!+ an e#ti+ate o% each othe! in #ociet , I co"ld '!ove that the ha!+on o! con%lict o% the#e di%%e!ent %o!ce# i# the #"!e#t indication o% the *ood o! (ad con#tit"tion o% a State- I co"ld #ho& that a+on* the#e %o"! )ind# o% ine."alit , 'e!#onal ."alitie# (ein* the o!i*in o% all the othe!#, &ealth i# the one to &hich the a!e all !ed"ced in the end, %o!, a# !iche# tend +o#t i++ediatel to the '!o#'e!it o% individ"al#, and a!e ea#ie#t to co++"nicate, the a!e "#ed to '"!cha#e eve! othe! di#tinction- B thi# o(#e!vation &e a!e ena(led to 2"d*e '!ett e0actl ho& %a! a 'eo'le ha# de'a!ted %!o+ it# '!i+itive con#tit"tion, and o% it# '!o*!e## to&a!d# the e0t!e+e te!+ o% co!!"'tion- I co"ld e0'lain ho& +"ch thi# "nive!#al de#i!e %o! !e'"tation, hono"!# and advance+ent, &hich in%la+e# "# all, e0e!ci#e# and hold# "' to co+'a!i#on o"! %ac"ltie# and 'o&e!#, ho& it e0cite# and +"lti'lie# o"! 'a##ion#, and, ( c!eatin* "nive!#al co+'etition and !ival! , o! !athe! en+it , a+on* +en, occa#ion# n"+(e!le## %ail"!e#, #"cce##e# and di#t"!(ance# o% all )ind# ( +a)in* #o +an a#'i!ant# !"n the #a+e co"!#e- I co"ld #ho& that it i# to thi# de#i!e o% (ein* tal)ed a(o"t, and thi# "n!e+ittin* !a*e o% di#tin*"i#hin* o"!#elve#, that &e o&e the (e#t and the &o!#t thin*# &e 'o##e##, (oth o"! vi!t"e# and o"! vice#, o"! #cience and o"! e!!o!#, o"! con."e!o!# and o"! 'hilo#o'he!#, that i# to #a , a *!eat +an (ad thin*#, and a ve! %e& *ood one#- In a &o!d, I co"ld '!ove that, i% &e have a %e& !ich and 'o&e!%"l +en on the 'innacle o% %o!t"ne and *!ande"!, &hile the c!o&d *!ovel# in &ant and o(#c"!it , it i# (eca"#e the %o!+e! '!i$e &hat the en2o onl in #o %a! a# othe!# a!e de#tit"te o% it, and (eca"#e, &itho"t chan*in* thei! condition, the &o"ld cea#e to (e ha'' the +o+ent the 'eo'le cea#ed to (e &!etched?I
The#e detail# alone, ho&eve!, &o"ld %"!ni#h +atte! %o! a con#ide!a(le &o!), in &hich the advanta*e# and di#advanta*e# o% eve! )ind o% *ove!n+ent +i*ht (e &ei*hed, a# the a!e !elated to +an in the #tate o% nat"!e, and at the #a+e ti+e all the di%%e!ent a#'ect#, "nde! &hich ine."alit ha# "' to the '!e#ent a''ea!ed, o! +a a''ea! in a*e# et to co+e, acco!din* to the nat"!e o% the #eve!al *ove!n+ent#, and the alte!ation# &hich ti+e +"#t "navoida(l occa#ion in the+, +i*ht (e de+on#t!ated- 3e #ho"ld then #ee the +"ltit"de o''!e##ed %!o+ &ithin, in con#e."ence o% the ve! '!eca"tion# it had ta)en to *"a!d a*ain#t %o!ei*n t !ann - 3e #ho"ld #ee o''!e##ion contin"all *ain *!o"nd &itho"t it (ein* 'o##i(le %o! the o''!e##ed to )no& &he!e it &o"ld #to', o! &hat le*iti+ate +ean# &a# le%t the+ o% chec)in* it# '!o*!e##- 3e #ho"ld #ee the !i*ht# o% citi$en#, and the %!eedo+ o% nation# #lo&l e0tin*"i#hed, and the co+'laint#, '!ote#t# and a''eal# o% the &ea) t!eated a# #editio"# +"!+"!in*#- 3e #ho"ld #ee the hono"! o% de%endin* the co++on ca"#e con%ined ( #tatec!a%t to a +e!cena! 'a!t o% the 'eo'le- 3e #ho"ld #ee ta0e# +ade nece##a! ( #"ch +ean#, and the di#hea!tened h"#(and+an de#e!tin* hi# %ield# even in the +id#t o% 'eace, and leavin* the 'lo"*h to *i!d on the #&o!d- 3e #ho"ld #ee %atal and ca'!icio"# code# o% hono"! e#ta(li#hed, and the cha+'ion# o% thei! co"nt! #oone! o! late! (eco+in* it# ene+ie#, and %o! eve! holdin* thei! da**e!# to the (!ea#t# o% thei! %ello&7citi$en#- The ti+e &o"ld co+e &hen the &o"ld (e hea!d #a in* to the o''!e##o! o% thei! co"nt! G Pectore si fratris gladium &uguloque parentis -ondere me &ubeas, gravid"que in viscera partu -on&ugis, invita peragam tamen omnia dextr.. L"can, i- ;CD F!o+ *!eat ine."alit o% %o!t"ne# and condition#, %!o+ the va#t va!iet o% 'a##ion# and o% talent#, o% "#ele## and 'e!nicio"# a!t#, o% vain #cience#, &o"ld a!i#e a +"ltit"de o% '!e2"dice# e."all cont!a! to !ea#on, ha''ine## and vi!t"e- 3e #ho"ld #ee the +a*i#t!ate# %o+entin* eve! thin* that +i*ht &ea)en +en "nited in #ociet , ( '!o+otin* di##en#ion a+on* the+, eve! thin* that +i*ht #o& in it the #eed# o% act"al divi#ion, &hile it *ave #ociet the ai! o% ha!+on , eve! thin* that +i*ht in#'i!e the di%%e!ent !an)# o% 'eo'le &ith +"t"al hat!ed and di#t!"#t, ( #ettin* the !i*ht# and inte!e#t# o% one a*ain#t tho#e o% anothe!, and #o #t!en*then the 'o&e! &hich co+'!ehended the+ allIt i# %!o+ the +id#t o% thi# di#o!de! and the#e !evol"tion#, that de#'oti#+, *!ad"all !ai#in* "' it# hideo"# head and devo"!in* eve! thin* that !e+ained #o"nd and "ntainted in an 'a!t o% the State, &o"ld at len*th t!a+'le on (oth the la&# and the 'eo'le, and e#ta(li#h it#el% on the !"in# o% the !e'"(lic- The ti+e# &hich i++ediatel '!eceded thi# la#t chan*e &o"ld (e ti+e# o% t!o"(le and cala+it , ("t at len*th the +on#te! &o"ld #&allo& "' eve! thin*, and the 'eo'le &o"ld no lon*e! have eithe! chie%# o! la&#, ("t onl t !ant#- F!o+ thi# +o+ent the!e &o"ld (e no ."e#tion o% vi!t"e o! +o!alit , %o! de#'oti#+ cui ex honesto nulla est spes, &he!eve! it '!evail#, ad+it# no othe! +a#te!, it no #oone! #'ea)# than '!o(it and d"t lo#e thei! &ei*ht and (lind o(edience i# the onl vi!t"e &hich #lave# can #till '!acti#eThi# i# the la#t te!+ o% ine."alit , the e0t!e+e 'oint that clo#e# the ci!cle, and +eet# that %!o+ &hich &e #et o"t- He!e all '!ivate 'e!#on# !et"!n to thei! %i!#t e."alit , (eca"#e the a!e nothin*, and, #"(2ect# havin* no la& ("t the &ill o% thei! +a#te!, and thei! +a#te! no !e#t!aint ("t hi# 'a##ion#, all notion# o% *ood and all '!inci'le# o% e."it a*ain vani#h- The!e i# he!e a co+'lete !et"!n to the la& o% the #t!on*e#t, and #o to a ne& #tate o% nat"!e, di%%e!in* %!o+ that &e #et o"t %!o+, %o! the one &a# a #tate o% nat"!e in it# %i!#t '"!it , &hile thi# i# the con#e."ence o% e0ce##ive co!!"'tion- The!e i# #o little di%%e!ence (et&een the t&o #tate# in othe! !e#'ect#, and the cont!act o% *ove!n+ent i# #o co+'letel di##olved ( de#'oti#+, that the de#'ot i# +a#te! onl #o lon* a# he !e+ain# the #t!on*e#t, a# #oon a# he can (e e0'elled, he ha# no !i*ht to ?5
co+'lain o% violence- The 'o'"la! in#"!!ection that end# in the death o! de'o#ition o% a S"ltan i# a# la&%"l an act a# tho#e ( &hich he di#'o#ed, the da (e%o!e, o% the live# and %o!t"ne# o% hi# #"(2ect#- A# he &a# +aintained ( %o!ce alone, it i# %o!ce alone that ove!th!o&# hi+- Th"# eve! thin* ta)e# 'lace acco!din* to the nat"!al o!de!, and, &hateve! +a (e the !e#"lt o% #"ch %!e."ent and '!eci'itate !evol"tion#, no one +an ha# !ea#on to co+'lain o% the in2"#tice o% anothe!, ("t onl o% hi# o&n ill7%o!t"ne o! indi#c!etionI% the !eade! th"# di#cove!# and !et!ace# the lo#t and %o!*otten !oad, ( &hich +an +"#t have 'a##ed %!o+ the #tate o% nat"!e to the #tate o% #ociet , i% he ca!e%"ll !e#to!e#, alon* &ith the inte!+ediate #it"ation# &hich I have 2"#t de#c!i(ed, tho#e &hich &ant o% ti+e ha# co+'elled +e to #"''!e##, o! + i+a*ination ha# %ailed to #"**e#t, he cannot %ail to (e #t!"c) ( the va#t di#tance &hich #e'a!ate# the t&o #tate#- It i# in t!acin* thi# #lo& #"cce##ion that he &ill %ind the #ol"tion o% a n"+(e! o% '!o(le+# o% 'olitic# and +o!al#, &hich 'hilo#o'he!# cannot #ettle- He &ill %eel that, +en (ein* di%%e!ent in di%%e!ent a*e#, the !ea#on &h Dio*ene# co"ld not %ind a +an &a# that he #o"*ht a+on* hi# conte+'o!a!ie# a +an o% an ea!lie! 'e!iod- He &ill #ee that Cato died &ith Ro+e and li(e!t , (eca"#e he did not %it the a*e in &hich he lived, the *!eate#t o% +en #e!ved onl to a#toni#h a &o!ld &hich he &o"ld ce!tainl have !"led, had he lived %ive h"nd!ed ea!# #oone!- In a &o!d, he &ill e0'lain ho& the #o"l and the 'a##ion# o% +en in#en#i(l chan*e thei! ve! nat"!e, &h o"! &ant# and 'lea#"!e# in the end #ee) ne& o(2ect#, and &h , the o!i*inal +an havin* vani#hed ( de*!ee#, #ociet o%%e!# to "# onl an a##e+(l o% a!ti%icial +en and %actitio"# 'a##ion#, &hich a!e the &o!) o% all the#e ne& !elation#, and &itho"t an !eal %o"ndation in nat"!e- 3e a!e ta"*ht nothin* on thi# #"(2ect, ( !e%lection, that i# not enti!el con%i!+ed ( o(#e!vation- The #ava*e and the civili#ed +an di%%e! #o +"ch in the (otto+ o% thei! hea!t# and in thei! inclination#, that &hat con#tit"te# the #"'!e+e ha''ine## o% one &o"ld !ed"ce the othe! to de#'ai!- The %o!+e! (!eathe# onl 'eace and li(e!t , he de#i!e# onl to live and (e %!ee %!o+ la(o"!, even the ataraxia o% the Stoic %all# %a! #ho!t o% hi# '!o%o"nd indi%%e!ence to eve! othe! o(2ect- Civili#ed +an, on the othe! hand, i# al&a # +ovin*, #&eatin*, toilin* and !ac)in* hi# (!ain# to %ind #till +o!e la(o!io"# occ"'ation#1 he *oe# on in d!"d*e! to hi# la#t +o+ent, and even #ee)# death to '"t hi+#el% in a 'o#ition to live, o! !eno"nce# li%e to ac."i!e i++o!talit - He 'a # hi# co"!t to +en in 'o&e!, &ho+ he hate#, and to the &ealth , &ho+ he de#'i#e#, he #to'# at nothin* to have the hono"! o% #e!vin* the+, he i# not a#ha+ed to val"e hi+#el% on hi# o&n +eanne## and thei! '!otection, and, '!o"d o% hi# #lave! , he #'ea)# &ith di#dain o% tho#e, &ho have not the hono"! o% #ha!in* it- 3hat a #i*ht &o"ld the 'e!'le0in* and envied la(o"!# o% a E"!o'ean +ini#te! o% State '!e#ent to the e e# o% a Ca!i((ean< Ho& +an c!"el death# &o"ld not thi# indolent #ava*e '!e%e! to the ho!!o!# o% #"ch a li%e, &hich i# #eldo+ even #&eetened ( the 'lea#"!e o% doin* *ood< B"t, %o! hi+ to #ee into the +otive# o% all thi# #olicit"de, the &o!d# power and reputation, &o"ld have to (ea! #o+e +eanin* in hi# +ind, he &o"ld have to )no& that the!e a!e +en &ho #et a val"e on the o'inion o% the !e#t o% the &o!ld, &ho can (e +ade ha'' and #ati#%ied &ith the+#elve# !athe! on the te#ti+on o% othe! 'eo'le than on thei! o&n- In !ealit , the #o"!ce o% all the#e di%%e!ence# i#, that the #ava*e live# &ithin hi+#el%, &hile #ocial +an live# con#tantl o"t#ide hi+#el%, and onl )no&# ho& to live in the o'inion o% othe!#, #o that he #ee+# to !eceive the con#cio"#ne## o% hi# o&n e0i#tence +e!el %!o+ the 2"d*+ent o% othe!# conce!nin* hi+- It i# not to + '!e#ent '"!'o#e to in#i#t on the indi%%e!ence to *ood and evil &hich a!i#e# %!o+ thi# di#'o#ition, in #'ite o% o"! +an %ine &o!)# on +o!alit , o! to #ho& ho&, eve! thin* (ein* !ed"ced to a''ea!ance#, the!e i# ("t a!t and +"++e! in even hono"!, %!iend#hi', vi!t"e, and o%ten vice it#el%, o% &hich &e at len*th lea!n the #ec!et o% (oa#tin*, to #ho&, in #ho!t, ho&, al&a # a#)in* othe!# &hat &e a!e, and neve! da!in* to a#) o"!#elve#, in the +id#t o% #o +"ch 'hilo#o'h , h"+anit and civili#ation, and o% #"ch #"(li+e code# o% +o!alit , &e have nothin* to #ho& %o! o"!#elve# ("t a %!ivolo"# and deceit%"l a''ea!ance, hono"! &itho"t vi!t"e, !ea#on &itho"t &i#do+, and 'lea#"!e &itho"t ha''ine##- It i# #"%%icient that I have '!oved that thi# i# not ( an +ean# the o!i*inal #tate o%
?8
+an, ("t that it i# +e!el the #'i!it o% #ociet , and the ine."alit &hich #ociet '!od"ce#, that th"# t!an#%o!+ and alte! all o"! nat"!al inclination#I have endeavo"!ed to t!ace the o!i*in and '!o*!e## o% ine."alit , and the in#tit"tion and a("#e o% 'olitical #ocietie#, a# %a! a# the#e a!e ca'a(le o% (ein* ded"ced %!o+ the nat"!e o% +an +e!el ( the li*ht o% !ea#on, and inde'endentl o% tho#e #ac!ed do*+a# &hich *ive the #anction o% divine !i*ht to #ove!ei*n a"tho!it - It %ollo&# %!o+ thi# #"!ve that, a# the!e i# ha!dl an ine."alit in the #tate o% nat"!e, all the ine."alit &hich no& '!evail# o&e# it# #t!en*th and *!o&th to the develo'+ent o% o"! %ac"ltie# and the advance o% the h"+an +ind, and (eco+e# at la#t 'e!+anent and le*iti+ate ( the e#ta(li#h+ent o% '!o'e!t and la&#- Secondl , it %ollo&# that +o!al ine."alit , a"tho!i#ed ( 'o#itive !i*ht alone, cla#he# &ith nat"!al !i*ht, &heneve! it i# not '!o'o!tionate to 'h #ical ine."alit , a di#tinction &hich #"%%icientl dete!+ine# &hat &e o"*ht to thin) o% that #'ecie# o% ine."alit &hich '!evail# in all civili#ed, co"nt!ie#, #ince it i# 'lainl cont!a! to the la& o% nat"!e, ho&eve! de%ined, that child!en #ho"ld co++and old +en, %ool# &i#e +en, and that the '!ivile*ed %e& #ho"ld *o!*e the+#elve# &ith #"'e!%l"itie#, &hile the #ta!vin* +"ltit"de a!e in &ant o% the (a!e nece##itie# o% li%e4- Ovid, Metamorphoses, 0i- 58C/oth rich and poor, shoc*ed at their new0found ills, Would fly from wealth, and lose what they had sought. D- Tacit"#, ist. iv- 5C- The +o#t &!etched #lave! the call 'eaceC- O% the Ri*ht# o% the Mo#t Ch!i#tian K"een ove! Va!io"# State# o% the Mona!ch o% S'ain, 5DDCF- Di#t!i("tive 2"#tice &o"ld o''o#e thi# !i*o!o"# e."alit o% the #tate o% nat"!e, even &e!e it '!actica(le in civil #ociet , a# all the +e+(e!# o% the State o&e it thei! #e!vice# in '!o'o!tion to thei! talent# and a(ilitie#, the o"*ht, on thei! #ide, to (e di#tin*"i#hed and %avo"!ed in '!o'o!tion to the #e!vice# the have act"all !ende!ed- It i# in thi# #en#e &e +"#t "nde!#tand that 'a##a*e o% I#oc!ate#, in &hich he e0tol# the '!i+itive Athenian#, %o! havin* dete!+ined &hich o% the t&o )ind# o% e."alit &a# the +o#t "#e%"l, vi$-, that &hich con#i#t# in dividin* the #a+e advanta*e# indi#c!i+inatel a+on* all the citi$en#, o! that &hich con#i#t# in di#t!i("tin* the+ to each acco!din* to hi# de#e!t#- The#e a(le 'olitician#, add# the o!ato!, (ani#hin* that "n2"#t ine."alit &hich +a)e# no di#tinction (et&een *ood and (ad +en, adhe!ed inviola(l to that &hich !e&a!d# and '"ni#he# eve! +an acco!din* to hi# de#e!t#B"t in the %i!#t 'lace, the!e neve! e0i#ted a #ociet , ho&eve! co!!"'t #o+e +a have (eco+e, &he!e no di%%e!ence &a# +ade (et&een the *ood and the (ad, and &ith !e*a!d to +o!alit , &he!e no +ea#"!e# can (e '!e#c!i(ed ( la& e0act eno"*h to #e!ve a# a '!actical !"le %o! a +a*i#t!ate, it i# &ith *!eat '!"dence that, in o!de! not to leave the %o!t"ne o! ."alit o% the citi$en# to hi# di#c!etion, it '!ohi(it# hi+ %!o+ 'a##in* 2"d*+ent on 'e!#on# and con%ine# hi# 2"d*+ent to action#- Onl +o!al# #"ch a# tho#e o% the ancient Ro+an# can (ea! cen#o!#, and #"ch a t!i("nal a+on* "# &o"ld th!o& eve! thin* into con%"#ion- The di%%e!ence (et&een *ood and (ad +en i# dete!+ined ( '"(lic e#tee+, the +a*i#t!ate (ein* #t!ictl a 2"d*e o% !i*ht alone, &he!ea# the '"(lic i# the t!"e#t 2"d*e o% +o!al#, and i# o% #"ch inte*!it and 'enet!ation on thi# head, that altho"*h it +a (e #o+eti+e# deceived, it can neve! (e co!!"'ted- The !an) o% citi$en# o"*ht, the!e%o!e, to (e !e*"lated, not acco!din* to thei! 'e!#onal +e!it G %o! thi# &o"ld '"t it in the 'o&e! o% the +a*i#t!ate to a''l the la& al+o#t a!(it!a!il G ("t acco!din* to the act"al #e!vice# done to the State, &hich a!e ca'a(le o% (ein* +o!e e0actl e#ti+ated-
APPENDI-. A FAMOUS a"tho!, !ec)onin* "' the *ood and evil o% h"+an li%e, and co+'a!in* the a**!e*ate#,
%ind# that o"! 'ain# *!eatl e0ceed o"! 'lea#"!e#1 #o that, all thin*# con#ide!ed, h"+an li%e i# not at all a val"a(le *i%t- Thi# concl"#ion doe# not #"!'!i#e +e, %o! the &!ite! d!e& all hi# a!*"+ent# %!o+ +an in civili#ation- Had he *one (ac) to the #tate o% nat"!e, hi# in."i!ie# &o"ld clea!l ?;
have had a di%%e!ent !e#"lt, and +an &o"ld have (een #een to (e #"(2ect to ve! %e& evil# not o% hi# o&n c!eation- It ha# indeed co#t "# not a little t!o"(le to +a)e o"!#elve# a# &!etched a# &e a!e- 3hen &e con#ide!, on the one hand, the i++en#e la(o"!# o% +an)ind, the +an #cience# (!o"*ht to 'e!%ection, the a!t# invented, the 'o&e!# e+'lo ed, the dee'# %illed "', the +o"ntain# levelled, the !oc)# #hatte!ed, the !ive!# +ade navi*a(le, the t!act# o% land clea!ed, the la)e# e+'tied, the +a!#he# d!ained, the eno!+o"# #t!"ct"!e# e!ected on land, and the tee+in* ve##el# that cove! the #ea, and, on the othe! hand, e#ti+ate &ith eve! #o little tho"*ht, the !eal advanta*e# that have acc!"ed %!o+ all the#e &o!)# to +an)ind, &e cannot hel' (ein* a+a$ed at the va#t di#'!o'o!tion the!e i# (et&een the#e thin*#, and de'lo!in* the in%at"ation o% +an, &hich, to *!ati% hi# #ill '!ide and vain #el%7ad+i!ation, ind"ce# hi+ ea*e!l to '"!#"e all the +i#e!ie# he i# ca'a(le o% %eelin*, tho"*h (ene%icent nat"!e had )indl 'laced the+ o"t o% hi# &a That +en a!e act"all &ic)ed, a #ad and contin"al e0'e!ience o% the+ '!ove# (e ond do"(t1 ("t, all the #a+e, I thin) I have #ho&n that +an i# nat"!all *ood- 3hat then can have de'!aved hi+ to #"ch an e0tent, e0ce't the chan*e# that have ha''ened in hi# con#tit"tion, the advance# he ha# +ade, and the )no&led*e he ha# ac."i!ed/ 3e +a ad+i!e h"+an #ociet a# +"ch a# &e 'lea#e, it &ill (e none the le## t!"e that it nece##a!il lead# +en to hate each othe! in '!o'o!tion a# thei! inte!e#t# cla#h, and to do one anothe! a''a!ent #e!vice#, &hile the a!e !eall doin* eve! i+a*ina(le +i#chie%- 3hat can (e tho"*ht o% a !elation, in &hich the inte!e#t o% eve! individ"al dictate# !"le# di!ectl o''o#ite to tho#e the '"(lic !ea#on dictate# to the co++"nit in *ene!al G in &hich eve! +an %ind# hi# '!o%it in the +i#%o!t"ne# o% hi# nei*h(o"!/ The!e i# not 'e!ha'# an +an in a co+%o!ta(le 'o#ition &ho ha# not *!eed hei!#, and 'e!ha'# even child!en, #ec!etl &i#hin* %o! hi# death, not a #hi' at #ea, o% &hich the lo## &o"ld not (e *ood ne&# to #o+e +e!chant o! othe!, not a ho"#e, &hich #o+e de(to! o% (ad %aith &o"ld not (e *lad to #ee !ed"ced to a#he# &ith all the 'a'e!# it contain#, not a nation &hich doe# not !e2oice at the di#a#te!# that (e%all it# nei*h(o"!#- Th"# it i# that &e %ind o"! advanta*e in the +i#%o!t"ne# o% o"! %ello&7 c!eat"!e#, and that the lo## o% one +an al+o#t al&a # con#tit"te# the '!o#'e!it o% anothe!- B"t it i# #till +o!e 'e!nicio"# that '"(lic cala+itie# a!e the o(2ect# o% the ho'e# and e0'ectation# o% inn"+e!a(le individ"al#- So+e de#i!e #ic)ne##, #o+e +o!talit , #o+e &a!, and #o+e %a+ine- I have #een +en &ic)ed eno"*h to &ee' %o! #o!!o& at the '!o#'ect o% a 'lenti%"l #ea#on, and the *!eat and %atal %i!e o% London, &hich co#t #o +an "nha'' 'e!#on# thei! live# o! thei! %o!t"ne#, +ade the %o!t"ne# o% 'e!ha'# ten tho"#and othe!#- I )no& that Montai*ne cen#"!e# De+ade# the Athenian %o! havin* ca"#ed to (e '"ni#hed a &o!)+an &ho, ( #ellin* hi# co%%in# ve! dea!, &a# a *!eat *aine! ( the death# o% hi# %ello&7citi$en#, ("t, the !ea#on alle*ed ( Montai*ne (ein* that eve! (od o"*ht to (e '"ni#hed, + 'oint i# clea!l con%i!+ed ( it- Let "# 'enet!ate, the!e%o!e, the #"'e!%icial a''ea!ance# o% (enevolence, and #"!ve &hat 'a##e# in the in+o#t !ece##e# o% the hea!t- Let "# !e%lect &hat +"#t (e the #tate o% thin*#, &hen +en a!e %o!ced to ca!e## and de#t!o one anothe! at the #a+e ti+e, &hen the a!e (o!n ene+ie# ( d"t , and )nave# ( inte!e#t- It &ill 'e!ha'# (e #aid that #ociet i# #o %o!+ed that eve! +an *ain# ( #e!vin* the !e#t- That &o"ld (e all ve! &ell, i% he did not *ain #till +o!e ( in2"!in* the+- The!e i# no le*iti+ate '!o%it #o *!eat, that it cannot (e *!eatl e0ceeded ( &hat +a (e +ade ille*iti+atel , &e al&a # *ain +o!e ( h"!tin* o"! nei*h(o"!# than ( doin* the+ *oodNothin* i# !e."i!ed ("t to )no& ho& to act &ith i+'"nit , and to thi# end the 'o&e!%"l e+'lo all thei! #t!en*th, and the &ea) all thei! c"nnin*Sava*e +an, &hen he ha# dined, i# at 'eace &ith all nat"!e, and the %!iend o% all hi# %ello&7 c!eat"!e#- I% a di#'"te a!i#e# a(o"t a +eal, he !a!el co+e# to (lo&#, &itho"t havin* %i!#t co+'a!ed the di%%ic"lt o% con."e!in* hi# anta*oni#t &ith the t!o"(le o% %indin* #"(#i#tence el#e&he!e1 and, a# '!ide doe# not co+e in, it all end# in a %e& (lo&#, the victo! eat#, and the van."i#hed #ee)# '!ovi#ion #o+e&he!e el#e, and all i# at 'eace- The ca#e i# ."ite di%%e!ent &ith +an in the #tate o% #ociet , %o! &ho+ %i!#t nece##a!ie# have to (e '!ovided, and then #"'e!%l"itie#, delicacie# %ollo& ne0t, then i++en#e &ealth, then #"(2ect#, and then #lave#- He ??
en2o # not a +o+ent@# !ela0ation, and &hat i# et #t!an*e!, the le## nat"!al and '!e##in* hi# &ant#, the +o!e head#t!on* a!e hi# 'a##ion#, and, #till &o!#e, the +o!e he ha# it in hi# 'o&e! to *!ati% the+, #o that a%te! a lon* co"!#e o% '!o#'e!it , a%te! havin* #&allo&ed "' t!ea#"!e# and !"ined +"ltit"de#, the he!o end# "' ( c"ttin* eve! th!oat till he %ind# hi+#el%, at la#t, #ole +a#te! o% the &o!ld- S"ch i# in +iniat"!e the +o!al 'ict"!e, i% not o% h"+an li%e, at lea#t o% the #ec!et '!eten#ion# o% the hea!t o% civili#ed +anCo+'a!e &itho"t 'a!tialit the #tate o% the citi$en &ith that o% the #ava*e, and t!ace o"t, i% o" can, ho& +an inlet# the %o!+e! ha# o'ened to 'ain and death, (e#ide# tho#e o% hi# vice#, hi# &ant# and hi# +i#%o!t"ne#- I% o" !e%lect on the +ental a%%liction# that '!e on "#, the violent 'a##ion# that &a#te and e0ha"#t "#, the e0ce##ive la(o"! &ith &hich the 'oo! a!e ("!dened, the #till +o!e dan*e!o"# indolence to &hich the &ealth *ive the+#elve# "', #o that the 'oo! 'e!i#h o% &ant, and the !ich o% #"!%eit, i% o" !e%lect ("t a +o+ent on the hete!o*eneo"# +i0t"!e# and 'e!nicio"# #ea#onin*# o% %ood#, the co!!"'t #tate in &hich the a!e %!e."entl eaten, on the ad"lte!ation o% +edicine#, the &ile# o% tho#e &ho #ell the+, the +i#ta)e# o% tho#e &ho ad+ini#te! the+, and the 'oi#ono"# ve##el# in &hich the a!e '!e'a!ed, on the e'ide+ic# (!ed ( %o"l ai! in con#e."ence o% *!eat n"+(e!# o% +en (ein* c!o&ded to*ethe!, o! tho#e &hich a!e ca"#ed ( o"! delicate &a o% livin*, ( o"! 'a##in* %!o+ o"! ho"#e# into the o'en ai! and (ac) a*ain, ( the '"ttin* on o! th!o&in* o%% o"! clothe# &ith too little ca!e, and ( all the '!eca"tion# &hich #en#"alit ha# conve!ted into nece##a! ha(it#, and the ne*lect o% &hich #o+eti+e# co#t# "# o"! li%e o! health, i% o" ta)e into acco"nt the con%la*!ation# and ea!th."a)e#, &hich, devo"!in* o! ove!&hel+in* &hole citie#, de#t!o the inha(itant# ( tho"#and#, in a &o!d, i% o" add to*ethe! all the dan*e!# &ith &hich the#e ca"#e# a!e al&a # th!eatenin* "#, o" &ill #ee ho& dea!l nat"!e +a)e# "# 'a %o! the conte+'t &ith &hich &e have t!eated he! le##on#I #hall not he!e !e'eat, &hat I have el#e&he!e #aid o% the cala+itie# o% &a!, ("t &i#h that tho#e, &ho have #"%%icient )no&led*e, &e!e &illin* o! (old eno"*h to +a)e '"(lic the detail# o% the villainie# co++itted in a!+ie# ( the cont!acto!# %o! co++i##a!iat and ho#'ital#1 &e #ho"ld #ee 'lainl that thei! +on#t!o"# %!a"d#, al!ead none too &ell concealed, &hich c!i''le the %ine#t a!+ie# in le## than no ti+e, occa#ion *!eate! de#t!"ction a+on* the #oldie!# than the #&o!d# o% the ene+ The n"+(e! o% 'eo'le &ho 'e!i#h ann"all at #ea, ( %a+ine, the #c"!v , 'i!ate#, %i!e and #hi'&!ec)#, a%%o!d# +atte! %o! anothe! #hoc)in* calc"lation- 3e +"#t al#o 'lace to the c!edit o% the e#ta(li#h+ent o% '!o'e!t , and con#e."entl to the in#tit"tion o% #ociet , a##a##ination#, 'oi#onin*#, hi*h&a !o((e!ie#, and even the '"ni#h+ent# in%licted on the &!etche# *"ilt o% the#e c!i+e#, &hich, tho"*h e0'edient to '!event *!eate! evil#, et ( +a)in* the +"!de! o% one +an co#t the live# o% t&o o! +o!e, do"(le the lo## to the h"+an !ace3hat #ha+e%"l +ethod# a!e #o+eti+e# '!acti#ed to '!event the (i!th o% +en, and cheat nat"!e, eithe! ( (!"tal and de'!aved a''etite# &hich in#"lt he! +o#t (ea"ti%"l &o!)7a''etite# "n)no&n to #ava*e# o! +e!e ani+al#, &hich can #'!in* onl %!o+ the co!!"'t i+a*ination o% +an)ind in civili#ed co"nt!ie#, o! ( #ec!et a(o!tion#, the %ittin* e%%ect# o% de(a"che! and vitiated notion# o% hono"!, o! ( the e0'o#"!e o! +"!de! o% +"ltit"de# o% in%ant#, &ho %all victi+# to the 'ove!t o% thei! 'a!ent#, o! the c!"el #ha+e o% thei! +othe!#, o!, %inall , ( the +"tilation o% "nha'' &!etche#, 'a!t o% &ho#e li%e, &ith thei! ho'e o% 'o#te!it , i# *iven "' to vain #in*in*, o!, #till &o!#e, the (!"tal 2ealo"# o% othe! +en1 a +"tilation &hich, in the la#t ca#e, (eco+e# a do"(le o"t!a*e a*ain#t nat"!e %!o+ the t!eat+ent o% tho#e &ho #"%%e! it, and %!o+ the "#e to &hich the a!e de#tined- B"t i# it not a tho"#and ti+e# +o!e co++on and +o!e dan*e!o"# %o! 'ate!nal !i*ht# o'enl to o%%end a*ain#t h"+anit / Ho& +an talent# have not (een th!o&n a&a , and inclination# %o!ced, ( the "n&i#e con#t!aint o% %athe!#/ Ho& +an +en, &ho &o"ld have di#tin*"i#hed the+#elve# in a %ittin* e#tate, have died di#hono"!ed and &!etched in anothe! %o! ?4
&hich the had no ta#te< Ho& +an ha'' , ("t "ne."al, +a!!ia*e# have (een (!o)en o! di#t"!(ed, and ho& +an cha#te &ive# have (een di#hono"!ed, ( an o!de! o% thin*# contin"all in cont!adiction &ith that o% nat"!e< Ho& +an *ood and vi!t"o"# h"#(and# and &ive# a!e !eci'!ocall '"ni#hed %o! havin* (een ill7a##o!ted< Ho& +an o"n* and "nha'' victi+# o% thei! 'a!ent#@ ava!ice 'l"n*e into vice, o! 'a## thei! +elanchol da # in tea!#, *!oanin* in the indi##ol"(le (ond# &hich thei! hea!t# !e'"diate and *old alone ha# %o!+ed< Fo!t"nate #o+eti+e# a!e tho#e &ho#e co"!a*e and vi!t"e !e+ove the+ %!o+ li%e (e%o!e inh"+an violence +a)e# the+ #'end it in c!i+e o! in de#'ai!- Fo!*ive +e, %athe! and +othe!, &ho+ I #hall eve! !e*!et1 + co+'laint e+(itte!# o"! *!ie%#, ("t &o"ld the +i*ht (e an ete!nal and te!!i(le e0a+'le to eve! one &ho da!e#, in the na+e o% nat"!e, to violate he! +o#t #ac!ed !i*htI% I have #'o)en onl o% tho#e ill7#ta!!ed "nion# &hich a!e the !e#"lt o% o"! # #te+, i# it to (e tho"*ht that tho#e ove! &hich love and # +'ath '!e#ide a!e %!ee %!o+ di#advanta*e#/ 3hat i% I #ho"ld "nde!ta)e to #ho& h"+anit attac)ed in it# ve! #o"!ce, and even in the +o#t #ac!ed o% all tie#, in &hich %o!t"ne i# con#"lted (e%o!e nat"!e, and, the di#o!de!# o% #ociet con%o"ndin* all vi!t"e and vice, continence (eco+e# a c!i+inal '!eca"tion, and a !e%"#al to *ive li%e to a %ello&7 c!eat"!e, an act o% h"+anit / B"t, &itho"t d!a&in* a#ide the veil &hich hide# all the#e ho!!o!#, let "# content o"!#elve# &ith 'ointin* o"t the evil &hich othe!# &ill have to !e+ed To all thi# add the +"lti'licit o% "nhealth t!ade#, &hich #ho!ten +en@# live# o! de#t!o thei! (odie#, #"ch a# &o!)in* in the +ine#, and the '!e'a!in* o% +etal# and +ine!al#, 'a!tic"la!l lead, co''e!, +e!c"! , co(alt, and a!#enic1 add tho#e othe! dan*e!o"# t!ade# &hich a!e dail %atal to +an tile!#, ca!'ente!#, +a#on# and +ine!#1 '"t all the#e to*ethe! and &e can #ee, in the e#ta(li#h+ent and 'e!%ection o% #ocietie#, the !ea#on# %o! that di+in"tion o% o"! #'ecie#, &hich ha# (een noticed ( +an 'hilo#o'he!#L"0"! , &hich cannot (e '!evented a+on* +en &ho a!e tenacio"# o% thei! o&n convenience and o% the !e#'ect 'aid the+ ( othe!#, #oon co+'lete# the evil #ociet had (e*"n, and, "nde! the '!etence o% *ivin* (!ead to the 'oo!, &ho+ it #ho"ld neve! have +ade #"ch, i+'ove!i#he# all the !e#t, and #oone! o! late! de'o'"late# the State- L"0"! i# a !e+ed +"ch &o!#e than the di#ea#e it #et# "' to c"!e, o! !athe! it i# in it#el% the *!eate#t o% all evil#, %o! eve! State, *!eat o! #+all1 %o!, in o!de! to +aintain all the #e!vant# and va*a(ond# it c!eate#, it (!in*# o''!e##ion and !"in on the citi$en and the la(o"!e!, it i# li)e tho#e #co!chin* &ind#, &hich, cove!in* the t!ee# and 'lant# &ith devo"!in* in#ect#, de'!ive "#e%"l ani+al# o% thei! #"(#i#tence and #'!ead %a+ine and death &he!eve! the (lo&F!o+ #ociet and the l"0"! to &hich it *ive# (i!th a!i#e the li(e!al and +echanical a!t#, co++e!ce, lette!#, and all tho#e #"'e!%l"itie# &hich +a)e ind"#t! %lo"!i#h, and en!ich and !"in nation#- The !ea#on %o! #"ch de#t!"ction i# 'lain- It i# ea# to #ee, %!o+ the ve! nat"!e o% a*!ic"lt"!e, that it +"#t (e the lea#t l"c!ative o% all the a!t#, %o!, it# '!od"ce (ein* the +o#t "nive!#all nece##a! , the '!ice +"#t (e '!o'o!tionate to the a(ilitie# o% the ve! 'oo!e#t o% +an)indF!o+ the #a+e '!inci'le +a (e ded"ced thi# !"le, that the a!t# in *ene!al a!e +o!e l"c!ative in '!o'o!tion a# the a!e le## "#e%"l, and that, in the end, the +o#t "#e%"l (eco+e# the +o#t ne*lected- F!o+ thi# &e +a lea!n &hat to thin) o% the !eal advanta*e# o% ind"#t! and the act"al e%%ect# o% it# '!o*!e##S"ch a!e the #en#i(le ca"#e# o% all the +i#e!ie#, into &hich o'"lence at len*th 'l"n*e# the +o#t cele(!ated nation#- In '!o'o!tion a# a!t# and ind"#t! %lo"!i#h, the de#'i#ed h"#(and+an, ("!dened &ith the ta0e# nece##a! %o! the #"''o!t o% l"0"! , and conde+ned to 'a## hi# da # (et&een la(o"! and h"n*e!, %o!#a)e# hi# native %ield, to #ee) in to&n# the (!ead he o"*ht to ca!! ?D
thithe!- The +o!e o"! ca'ital citie# #t!i)e the v"l*a! e e &ith ad+i!ation, the *!eate! !ea#on i# the!e to la+ent the #i*ht o% the a(andoned co"nt! #ide, the la!*e t!act# o% land that lie "nc"ltivated, the !oad# c!o&ded &ith "n%o!t"nate citi$en# t"!ned (e**a!# o! hi*h&a +en, and doo+ed to end thei! &!etched live# eithe! on a d"n*hill o! on the *allo&#- Th"# the State *!o&# !ich on the one hand, and %ee(le and de'o'"lated on the othe!, the +i*htie#t +ona!chie#, a%te! havin* ta)en i++en#e 'ain# to en!ich and de'o'"late the+#elve#, %all at la#t a '!e to #o+e 'oo! nation, &hich ha# ielded to the %atal te+'tation o% invadin* the+, and then, *!o&in* o'"lent and &ea) in it# t"!n, i# it#el% invaded and !"ined ( #o+e othe!Let an one in%o!+ "# &hat '!od"ced the #&a!+# o% (a!(a!ian#, &ho ove!!an E"!o'e, A#ia and A%!ica %o! #o +an a*e#- 3a# thei! '!odi*io"# inc!ea#e d"e to thei! ind"#t! and a!t#, to the &i#do+ o% thei! la&#, o! to the e0cellence o% thei! 'olitical # #te+/ Let the lea!ned tell "# &h , in#tead o% +"lti'l in* to #"ch a de*!ee, the#e %ie!ce and (!"tal +en, &itho"t #en#e o! #cience, &itho"t ed"cation, &itho"t !e#t!aint, did not de#t!o each othe! ho"!l in ."a!!ellin* ove! the '!od"ction# o% thei! %ield# and &ood#- Let the+ tell "# ho& the#e &!etche# co"ld have the '!e#"+'tion to o''o#e #"ch cleve! 'eo'le a# &e &e!e, #o &ell t!ained in +ilita! di#ci'line, and 'o##e##ed o% #"ch e0cellent la&# and in#tit"tion#1 and &h , #ince #ociet ha# (een (!o"*ht to 'e!%ection in no!the!n co"nt!ie#, and #o +"ch 'ain# ta)en to in#t!"ct thei! inha(itant# in thei! #ocial d"tie# and in the a!t o% livin* ha''il and 'eacea(l to*ethe!, &e #ee the+ no lon*e! '!od"ce #"ch n"+(e!le## ho#t# a# the "#ed once to #end %o!th to (e the 'la*"e and te!!o! o% othe! nation#- I %ea! #o+e one +a at la#t an#&e! +e ( #a in*, that all the#e %ine thin*#, a!t#, #cience# and la&#, &e!e &i#el invented ( +en, a# a #al"ta! 'la*"e, to '!event the too *!eat +"lti'lication o% +an)ind, le#t the &o!ld, &hich &a# *iven "# %o! a ha(itation, #ho"ld in ti+e (e too #+all %o! it# inha(itant#3hat, then, i# to (e done/ M"#t #ocietie# (e totall a(oli#hed/ M"#t meum and tuum (e annihilated, and +"#t &e !et"!n a*ain to the %o!e#t# to live a+on* (ea!#/ Thi# i# a ded"ction in the +anne! o% + adve!#a!ie#, &hich I &o"ld a# #oon antici'ate a# let the+ have the #ha+e o% d!a&in*- O o", &ho have neve! hea!d the voice o% heaven, &ho thin) +an de#tined onl to live thi# little li%e and die in 'eace, o", &ho can !e#i*n in the +id#t o% 'o'"lo"# citie# o"! %atal ac."i#ition#, o"! !e#tle## #'i!it#, o"! co!!"'t hea!t# and endle## de#i!e#, !e#"+e, #ince it de'end# enti!el on o"!#elve#, o"! ancient and '!i+itive innocence1 !eti!e to the &ood#, the!e to lo#e the #i*ht and !e+e+(!ance o% the c!i+e# o% o"! conte+'o!a!ie#, and (e not a''!ehen#ive o% de*!adin* o"! #'ecie#, ( !eno"ncin* it# advance# in o!de! to !eno"nce it# vice#- A# %o! +en li)e +e, &ho#e 'a##ion# have de#t!o ed thei! o!i*inal #i+'licit , &ho can no lon*e! #"(#i#t on 'lant# o! aco!n#, o! live &itho"t la&# and +a*i#t!ate#, tho#e &ho &e!e hono"!ed in thei! %i!#t %athe! &ith #"'e!nat"!al in#t!"ction#, tho#e &ho di#cove!, in the de#i*n o% *ivin* h"+an action# at the #ta!t a +o!alit &hich the +"#t othe!&i#e have (een #o lon* in ac."i!in*, the !ea#on %o! a '!ece't in it#el% indi%%e!ent and ine0'lica(le on eve! othe! # #te+, tho#e, in #ho!t, &ho a!e 'e!#"aded that the Divine Bein* ha# called all +an)ind to (e 'a!ta)e!# in the ha''ine## and 'e!%ection o% cele#tial intelli*ence#, all the#e &ill endeavo"! to +e!it the ete!nal '!i$e the a!e to e0'ect %!o+ the '!actice o% tho#e vi!t"e#, &hich the +a)e the+#elve# %ollo& in lea!nin* to )no& the+- The &ill !e#'ect the #ac!ed (ond# o% thei! !e#'ective co++"nitie#, the &ill love thei! %ello&7citi$en#, and #e!ve the+ &ith all thei! +i*ht1 the &ill #c!"'"lo"#l o(e the la&#, and all tho#e &ho +a)e o! ad+ini#te! the+, the &ill 'a!tic"la!l hono"! tho#e &i#e and *ood '!ince#, &ho %ind +ean# o% '!eventin*, c"!in* o! even 'alliatin* all the#e evil# and a("#e#, ( &hich &e a!e con#tantl th!eatened, the &ill ani+ate the $eal o% thei! de#e!vin* !"le!#, ( #ho&in* the+, &itho"t %latte! o! %ea!, the i+'o!tance o% thei! o%%ice and the #eve!it o% thei! d"t - B"t the &ill not the!e%o!e have le## conte+'t %o! a con#tit"tion that cannot #"''o!t it#el% &itho"t the aid o% #o +an #'lendid cha!acte!#, +"ch o%tene! &i#hed %o! than %o"nd, and %!o+ &hich, not&ith#tandin* all thei! 'ain# and #olicit"de, the!e al&a # a!i#e +o!e !eal cala+itie# than even a''a!ent advanta*e#?C
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