BOOK III PART II
tain a greater suspicion, that men may indulge
their humour, or passion, in acting contrary to
them. Here, therefore, promises come natu-
rally in play, and are often required for fuller
satisfaction and security. But supposing those
other interests to be as general and avowed as
the interest in the performance of a promise,
they will be regarded as on the same footing,
and men will begin to repose the same confi-
dence in them. Now this is exactly the case
with regard to our civil duties, or obedience
to the magistrate; without which no govern-
ment coued subsist, nor any peace or order be
maintained in large societies, where there are
so many possessions on the one hand, and so
many wants, real or imaginary, on the other.
Our civil duties, therefore, must soon detach
themselves from our promises, and acquire a
separate force and influence. The interest in