And thus captives, taken in a just and
lawful war, and such only, are subject to a despotical power,
which, as it arises not from compact, so neither is it capable of
any, but is the state of war continued: for what compact can be
made with a man that is not master of his own life? what
condition can he perform? and if he be once allowed to be master
of his own life, the despotical, arbitrary power of his master
ceases. He that is master of himself, and his own life, has a
right too to the means of preserving it; so that as soon as
compact enters, slavery ceases, and he so far quits his absolute
power, and puts an end to the state of war, who enters into
conditions with his captive.
(*Another copy corrected by Mr. Locke, has it thus, Noxious
brute that is destructive to their being.)
Sec. 173. Nature gives the first of these, viz. paternal
power to parents for the benefit of their children during their
minority, to supply their want of ability, and understanding how
to manage their property. (By property I must be understood
here, as in other places, to mean that property which men have in
their persons as well as goods.) Voluntary agreement gives the
second, viz. political power to governors for the benefit of
their subjects, to secure them in the possession and use of their
properties. And forfeiture gives the third despotical power to
lords for their own benefit, over those who are stripped of all
property.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155