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had promised rashly； whether my reasons were true or false； I should be in
fear of a greater evil； which； by the ordinance of nature； I should strive
to avoid by every means in my power。
（16：37） We may； therefore； conclude that a compact is only made valid by its
utility； without which it becomes null and void。 （38） It is； therefore；
foolish to ask a man to keep his faith with us for ever； unless we also
endeavour that the violation of the compact we enter into shall involve for
the violator more harm than good。 （39） This consideration should have very
great weight in forming a state。 （40） However； if all men could be easily
led by reason alone； and could recognize what is best and most useful for a
state； there would be no one who would not forswear deceit； for everyone
would keep most religiously to their compact in their desire for the chief
good； namely； the shield and buckler of the commonwealth。 （41） However； it
is far from being the case that all men can always be easily led by reason
alone； everyone is drawn away by his pleasure； while avarice； ambition；
envy； hatred； and the like so engross the mind that； reason has no place
therein。 （42） Hence； though men make … promises with all the appearances of
good faith； and agree that they will keep to their engagement； no one can
absolutely rely on another man's promise unless there is something behind
it。 （43） Everyone has by nature a right to act deceitfully。 and to break his
compacts； unless he be restrained by the hope of some greater good； or the
fear of some greater evil。
（16：44） However； as we have shown that the natural right of the individual
is only limited by his power； it is clear that by transferring； either
willingly or under compulsion； this power into the hands of another； he in
so doing necessarily cedes also a part of his right； and further； that the
Sovereign right over all men belongs to him who has sovereign power；
wherewith he can compel men by force； or restrain them by threats of the
universally feared punishment of death； such sovereign right he will
retain only so long as he can maintain his power of enforcing his will；
otherwise he will totter on his throne； and no one who is stronger than he
will be bound unwillingly to obey him。
（16：45） In this manner a society can be formed without any violation of
natural right； and the covenant can always be strictly kept … that is； if
each individual hands over the whole of his power to the body politic； the
latter will then possess sovereign natural right over all things； that is；
it will have sole and unquestioned dominion； and everyone will be bound to
obey； under pain of the severest punishment。 （46） A body politic of this
kind is called a Democracy； which may be defined as a society which wields
all its power as a whole。 （47） The sovereign power is not restrained by any
laws； but everyone is bound to obey it in all things； such is the state of
things implied when men either tacitly or expressly handed over to it all
their power of self…defence； or in other words； all their right。 （48） For if
they had wished to retain any right for themselves； they ought to have taken
precautions for its defence and preservation； as they have not done so；
and indeed could not have done so without dividing and consequently ruining
the state； they placed themselves absolutely at the mercy of the sovereign
power； and； therefore； having acted （as we have shown） as reason and
necessity demanded； they are obliged to fulfil the commands of the sovereign
power； however absurd these may be； else they will be public enemies； and
will act against reason； which urges the preservation of the state as a
primary duty。 （49） For reason bids us choose the least of two evils。
（16：50） Furthermore； this danger of submitting absolutely to the dominion
and will of another； is one which may be incurred with a light heart： for we
have shown that sovereigns only possess this right of imposing their will；
so long as they have the full power to enforce it： if such power be lost
their right to command is lost also； or lapses to those who have assumed it
and can keep it。 （51） Thus it is very rare for sovereigns to impose
thoroughly irrational commands； for they are bound to consult their own
interests； and retain their power by consulting the public good and
acting according to the dictates of reason； as Seneca says； 〃violenta
imperia nemo continuit diu。〃 （52） No one can long retain a tyrant's sway。
（16：53） In a democracy； irrational commands are still less to be feared： for
it is almost impossible that the majority of a people； especially if it be a
large one； should agree in an irrational design： and； moreover； the basis
and aim of a democracy is to avoid the desires as irrational； and to bring
men as far as possible under the control of reason； so that they may live in
peace and harmony： if this basis be removed the whole fabric falls to ruin。
（16：54） Such being the ends in view for the sovereign power； the duty of
subjects is； as I have said； to obey its commands； and to recognize no right
save that which it sanctions。
＇16：4＇ （55） It will； perhaps； be thought that we are turning subjects into
slaves： for slaves obey commands and free men live as they like； but this
idea is based on a misconception； for the true slave is he who is led away
by his pleasures and can neither see what is good for him nor act
accordingly： he alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire
guidance of reason。
（16：56） Action in obedience to orders does take away freedom in a certain
sense； but it does not； therefore； make a man a slave； all depends on the
object of the action。 （57） If the object of the action be the good of the
state； and not the good of the agent； the latter is a slave and does
himself no good： but in a state or kingdom where the weal of the whole
people； and not that of the ruler； is the supreme law； obedience to the
sovereign power does not make a man a slave； of no use to himself； but a
subject。 （58） Therefore； that state is the freest whose laws are founded on
sound reason； so that every member of it may； if he will； be free ＇Endnote
27＇； that is； live with full consent under the entire guidance of reason。
（16：59） Children； though they are bound to obey all the commands of their
parents； are yet not slaves： for the commands of parents look generally to
the children's benefit。
（60） We must； therefore； acknowledge a great difference between a slave； a
son； and a subject； their positions may be thus defined。 （61） A slave is one
who is bound to obey his master's orders； though they are given solely in
the master's interest： a son is one who obeys his father's orders； given
in his own interest； a subject obeys the orders of th