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their own hands； artisans and mechanics； only these being really of
service； the only ones who； through their situation； are in close
proximity to the natural state； and who preserve； under a rough
exterior； the warmth； the goodness and the integrity of primitive
instincts。 Accordingly； let us call by its true name this
elegance； this luxury； this urbanity； this literary delicacy； this
philosophical eccentricity； admired by the prejudiced as the flower of
the life of humanity； it is only mold and mildew。 In like manner
esteem at its just value the swarm that live upon it； namely； the
indolent aristocracy； the fashionable world； the privileged who direct
and make a display； the idlers of the drawing room who talk； divert
themselves and regard themselves as the elect of humanity； but who are
simply so many parasites。 Whether parasitic or excretory； one attracts
the other； and the tree can only be well if we get rid of both。
If civilization is bad； society is worse。 ＇37＇ For this could not
have been established except by destroying primitive equality； while
its two principal institutions； property and government； are
encroachments。
〃He who first enclosed a plot of ground； and who took it into his
to say this belongs to me； and who found people simple enough to
believe him；＇38＇ was the true founder of civil society。 What crimes；
what wars； what murders； what misery and what horrors would have been
spared the human race if he who； pulling up the landmark and filling
up the ditch； had cried out to his fellows： Be wary of that impostor；
you are lost if you forget that no one has a right to the land and
that its fruits are the property of all ！〃 The first ownership
was a robbery by which an individual abstracted from the community a
portion of the public domain。 Nothing could justify the outrage；
nothing added by him to the soil； neither his industry； nor his
trouble； nor his valor。 〃In vain may he assert that he built this
wall； and acquired this land by his labor。 Who marked it out for him；
one might ask； and how do you come to be paid for labor which was
never imposed on you？ Are you not aware that a multitude of your
brethren are suffering and perishing with want because you have too
much； and that the express and unanimous consent of the whole human
species is requisite before appropriating to yourself more than your
share of the common subsistence？〃
Underneath this theory we recognize the personal attitude； the
grudge of the poor embittered commoner； who； on entering society；
finds the places all taken； and who is incapable of creating one for
himself； who； in his confessions； marks the day when he ceased to feel
hungry； who； for lack of something better； lives in concubinage with a
serving…woman and places his five children in an orphanage； who is in
turn servant； clerk； vagabond； teacher and copyist； always on the
look…out； using his wits to maintain his independence； disgusted with
the contrast between what he is outwardly and what he feels himself
inwardly； avoiding envy only by disparagement； and preserving in the
folds of his heart an old grudge 〃against the rich and the fortunate
in this world as if they were so at his expense； as if their assumed
happiness had been an infringement on his happiness。〃 ＇39＇ Not
only is there injustice in the origin of property but again there is
injustice in the power it secures to itself； the wrong increasing like
a canker under the partiality of law。
〃Are not all the advantages of society for the rich and for the
powerful？＇40＇ Do they not absorb to themselves all lucrative
positions？ Is not the public authority wholly in their interest？ If a
man of position robs his creditors or commits other offenses is he not
certain of impunity？ Are not the blows he bestows； his violent
assaults； the murders and the assassinations he is guilty of； matters
that are hushed up and forgotten in a few months？ Let this same
man be robbed and the entire police set to work； and woe to the poor
innocents they suspect！ Has he to pass a dangerous place； escorts
overrun the country。…If the axle of his coach breaks down everybody
runs to help him。 Is a noise made at his gate； a word from him
and all is silent。 Does the crowd annoy him； he makes a sign and
order reigns。 Does a carter chance to cross his path； his
attendants are ready to knock him down； while fifty honest pedestrians
might be crushed rather than delaying a rascal in his carriage。
All these considerations do not cost him a penny。； they are a rich
man's entitlements and not the price for being rich。 What a
different picture of the poor ！ The more humanity owes them the more
it refuses them。 All doors are closed to them even when they have the
right to have them opened； and if they sometimes obtain justice they
have more trouble than others in obtaining favors。 If there is statute
labor to be carried out； a militia to raise； the poor are the most
eligible。 It always bears burdens from which its wealthier neighbor
with influence secures exemption。 At the least accident to a poor man
everybody abandons him。 Let his cart topple over and I regard him as
fortunate if he escapes the insults of the smart companions of a young
duke passing by。 In a word all assistance free of charge is withheld
from him in time of need； precisely because he cannot pay for it。 I
regard him as a lost man if he is so unfortunate as to be honest and
have a pretty daughter and a powerful neighbor。 Let us sum up in
a few words the social pact of the two estates：
You need me because I am rich and you are poor： let us then make an
agreement together。 I will allow you the honor of serving me on
condition that you give me the little that remains to you for the
trouble I have in governing you。〃
This shows the spirit； the aim and the effect of political society。
At the start； according to Rousseau； it consisted of an unfair
bargain； made by an adroit rich man with a poor dupe； 〃providing new
fetters for the weak and fresh power for the rich；〃 and； under the
title of legitimate property； consecrating the usurpation of the soil。
To day the contract is still more unjust 〃 by means of which a
child may govern an old man； a fool lead the wise； and a handful of
people live in abundance whilst a famished multitude lack the
necessities for life。〃 It is the nature of inequality to grow； hence
the authority of some increases along with the dependence of the rest；
so that the two conditions； having at last reached their extremes； the
hereditary and perpetual objection of the people seems to be a divine
right equally with the hereditary and perpetual despotism of the king。
This is the present situation and； any change； will be for the
worse。 〃For；＇41＇ the occupation of all kings； or of those charged with
their functions； consists wholly of two objects； to extend their sway
abroad and to render it more absolute at h