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comes not in competition； ought he as much as he can to preserve the
rest of mankind； and not unless it be to do justice on an offender；
take away or impair the life； or what tends to the preservation of the
life； the liberty； health； limb； or goods of another。
7。 And that all men may be restrained from invading others'
rights； and from doing hurt to one another； and the law of Nature be
observed； which willeth the peace and preservation of all mankind； the
execution of the law of Nature is in that state put into every man's
hands； whereby every one has a right to punish the transgressors of
that law to such a degree as may hinder its violation。 For the law
of Nature would； as all other laws that concern men in this world；
be in vain if there were nobody that in the state of Nature had a
power to execute that law； and thereby preserve the innocent and
restrain offenders； and if any one in the state of Nature may punish
another for any evil he has done； every one may do so。 For in that
state of perfect equality； where naturally there is no superiority
or jurisdiction of one over another； what any may do in prosecution of
that law； every one must needs have a right to do。
8。 And thus； in the state of Nature； one man comes by a power over
another； but yet no absolute or arbitrary power to use a criminal；
when he has got him in his hands； according to the passionate heats or
boundless extravagancy of his own will； but only to retribute to him
so far as calm reason and conscience dictate； what is proportionate to
his transgression； which is so much as may serve for reparation and
restraint。 For these two are the only reasons why one man may lawfully
do harm to another； which is that we call punishment。 In transgressing
the law of Nature； the offender declares himself to live by another
rule than that of reason and common equity； which is that measure
God has set to the actions of men for their mutual security； and so he
becomes dangerous to mankind； the tie which is to secure them from
injury and violence being slighted and broken by him； which being a
trespass against the whole species； and the peace and safety of it；
provided for by the law of Nature； every man upon this score； by the
right he hath to preserve mankind in general； may restrain； or where
it is necessary； destroy things noxious to them； and so may bring such
evil on any one who hath transgressed that law； as may make him repent
the doing of it； and thereby deter him； and； by his example； others
from doing the like mischief。 And in this case； and upon this
ground； every man hath a right to punish the offender； and be
executioner of the law of Nature。
9。 I doubt not but this will seem a very strange doctrine to some
men； but before they condemn it； I desire them to resolve me by what
right any prince or state can put to death or punish an alien for
any crime he commits in their country？ It is certain their laws； by
virtue of any sanction they receive from the promulgated will of the
legislature； reach not a stranger。 They speak not to him； nor； if they
did； is he bound to hearken to them。 The legislative authority by
which they are in force over the subjects of that commonwealth hath no
power over him。 Those who have the supreme power of making laws in
England； France； or Holland are； to an Indian； but like the rest of
the world… men without authority。 And therefore； if by the law of
Nature every man hath not a power to punish offences against it； as he
soberly judges the case to require； I see not how the magistrates of
any community can punish an alien of another country； since； in
reference to him； they can have no more power than what every man
naturally may have over another。
10。 Besides the crime which consists in violating the laws； and
varying from the right rule of reason； whereby a man so far becomes
degenerate； and declares himself to quit the principles of human
nature and to be a noxious creature； there is commonly injury done；
and some person or other； some other man； receives damage by his
transgression； in which case； he who hath received any damage has
（besides the right of punishment common to him； with other men） a
particular right to seek reparation from him that hath done it。 And
any other person who finds it just may also join with him that is
injured； and assist him in recovering from the offender so much as may
make satisfaction for the harm he hath suffered。
11。 From these two distinct rights （the one of punishing the
crime； for restraint and preventing the like offence； which right of
punishing is in everybody； the other of taking reparation； which
belongs only to the injured party） comes it to pass that the
magistrate； who by being magistrate hath the common right of punishing
put into his hands； can often； where the public good demands not the
execution of the law； remit the punishment of criminal offences by his
own authority； but yet cannot remit the satisfaction due to any
private man for the damage he has received。 That he who hath
suffered the damage has a right to demand in his own name； and he
alone can remit。 The damnified person has this power of
appropriating to himself the goods or service of the offender by right
of self…preservation； as every man has a power to punish the crime
to prevent its being committed again； by the right he has of
preserving all mankind； and doing all reasonable things he can in
order to that end。 And thus it is that every man in the state of
Nature has a power to kill a murderer； both to deter others from doing
the like injury （which no reparation can compensate） by the example of
the punishment that attends it from everybody； and also to secure
men from the attempts of a criminal who； having renounced reason；
the common rule and measure God hath given to mankind； hath； by the
unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one； declared war
against all mankind； and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or a
tiger； one of those wild savage beasts with whom men can have no
society nor security。 And upon this is grounded that great law of
nature； 〃Whoso sheddeth man's blood； by man shall his blood be
shed。〃 And Cain was so fully convinced that every one had a right to
destroy such a criminal； that； after the murder of his brother； he
cries out； 〃Every one that findeth me shall slay me；〃 so plain was
it writ in the hearts of all mankind。
12。 By the same reason may a man in the state of Nature punish the
lesser breaches of that law； it will； perhaps； be demanded； with
death？ I answer： Each transgression may be punished to that degree；
and with so much severity； as will suffice to make it an ill bargain
to the offender； give him cause to repent； and terrify others from
doing the like。 Every offence that can be committed in the state of
Nature may； in the state of Nature； be also punished equally； and as
far forth； as it may； in a commonwealth。 For though it would be beside
my present purpose to enter here into the particulars of the law of
Nature； or its measures of punishment； yet it is