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my present purpose to enter here into the particulars of the law of
Nature； or its measures of punishment； yet it is certain there is such
a law； and that too as intelligible and plain to a rational creature
and a studier of that law as the positive laws of commonwealths；
nay； possibly plainer； as much as reason is easier to be understood
than the fancies and intricate contrivances of men； following contrary
and hidden interests put into words； for truly so are a great part
of the municipal laws of countries； which are only so far right as
they are founded on the law of Nature； by which they are to be
regulated and interpreted。
13。 To this strange doctrine… viz。； That in the state of Nature
every one has the executive power of the law of Nature… I doubt not
but it will be objected that it is unreasonable for men to be judges
in their own cases； that self…love will make men partial to themselves
and their friends； and； on the other side； ill…nature； passion； and
revenge will carry them too far in punishing others； and hence nothing
but confusion and disorder will follow； and that therefore God hath
certainly appointed government to restrain the partiality and violence
of men。 I easily grant that civil government is the proper remedy
for the inconveniences of the state of Nature； which must certainly be
great where men may be judges in their own case； since it is easy to
be imagined that he who was so unjust as to do his brother an injury
will scarce be so just as to condemn himself for it。 But I shall
desire those who make this objection to remember that absolute
monarchs are but men； and if government is to be the remedy of those
evils which necessarily follow from men being judges in their own
cases； and the state of Nature is therefore not to be endured； I
desire to know what kind of government that is； and how much better it
is than the state of Nature； where one man commanding a multitude
has the liberty to be judge in his own case； and may do to all his
subjects whatever he pleases without the least question or control
of those who execute his pleasure？ and in whatsoever he doth；
whether led by reason； mistake； or passion； must be submitted to？
which men in the state of Nature are not bound to do one to another。
And if he that judges； judges amiss in his own or any other case； he
is answerable for it to the rest of mankind。
14。 It is often asked as a mighty objection； where are； or ever
were； there any men in such a state of Nature？ To which it may suffice
as an answer at present； that since all princes and rulers of
〃independent〃 governments all through the world are in a state of
Nature； it is plain the world never was； nor never will be； without
numbers of men in that state。 I have named all governors of
〃independent〃 communities； whether they are； or are not； in league
with others； for it is not every compact that puts an end to the state
of Nature between men； but only this one of agreeing together mutually
to enter into one community； and make one body politic； other promises
and compacts men may make one with another； and yet still be in the
state of Nature。 The promises and bargains for truck； etc。； between
the two men in Soldania； in or between a Swiss and an Indian； in the
woods of America； are binding to them； though they are perfectly in
a state of Nature in reference to one another for truth； and keeping
of faith belongs to men as men； and not as members of society。
15。 To those that say there were never any men in the state of
Nature； I will not oppose the authority of the judicious Hooker （Eccl。
Pol。 i。 10）； where he says； 〃the laws which have been hitherto
mentioned〃… i。e。； the laws of Nature… 〃do bind men absolutely； even as
they are men； although they have never any settled fellowship； never
any solemn agreement amongst themselves what to do or not to do； but
for as much as we are not by ourselves sufficient to furnish ourselves
with competent store of things needful for such a life as our Nature
doth desire； a life fit for the dignity of man； therefore to supply
those defects and imperfections which are in us； as living single
and solely by ourselves； we are naturally induced to seek communion
and fellowship with others； this was the cause of men uniting
themselves as first in politic societies。〃 But I； moreover； affirm
that all men are naturally in that state； and remain so till； by their
own consents； they make themselves members of some politic society；
and I doubt not； in the sequel of this discourse； to make it very
clear。
Chapter III
Of the State of War
16。 The state of war is a state of enmity and destruction； and
therefore declaring by word or action； not a passionate and hasty； but
sedate； settled design upon another man's life puts him in a state
of war with him against whom he has declared such an intention； and so
has exposed his life to the other's power to be taken away by him；
or any one that joins with him in his defence； and espouses his
quarrel； it being reasonable and just I should have a right to destroy
that which threatens me with destruction； for by the fundamental law
of Nature； man being to be preserved as much as possible； when all
cannot be preserved； the safety of the innocent is to be preferred；
and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him； or has discovered an
enmity to his being； for the same reason that he may kill a wolf or
a lion； because they are not under the ties of the common law of
reason； have no other rule but that of force and violence； and so
may be treated as a beast of prey； those dangerous and noxious
creatures that will be sure to destroy him whenever he falls into
their power。
17。 And hence it is that he who attempts to get another man into his
absolute power does thereby put himself into a state of war with
him； it being to be understood as a declaration of a design upon his
life。 For I have reason to conclude that he who would get me into
his power without my consent would use me as he pleased when he had
got me there； and destroy me too when he had a fancy to it； for nobody
can desire to have me in his absolute power unless it be to compel
me by force to that which is against the right of my freedom… i。e。
make me a slave。 To be free from such force is the only security of my
preservation； and reason bids me look on him as an enemy to my
preservation who would take away that freedom which is the fence to
it； so that he who makes an attempt to enslave me thereby puts himself
into a state of war with me。 He that in the state of Nature would take
away the freedom that belongs to any one in that state must
necessarily be supposed to have a design to take away everything else；
that freedom being the foundation of all the rest； as he that in the
state of society would take away the freedom belonging to those of
that society or commonwealth must be supposed to design to take away
from them everything else； and so be looked on as in a state of war。
18。 This makes it lawful for a man t