BOOK III PART II
both is of the very same kind: It is general,
avowed, and prevails in all times and places.
There is, then, no pretext of reason for found-
ing the one upon the other; while each of them
has a foundation peculiar to itself. We might as
well resolve the obligation to abstain from the
possessions of others, into the obligation of a
promise, as that of allegiance. The interests are
not more distinct in the one case than the other.
A regard to property is not more necessary to
natural society, than obedience is to civil soci-
ety or government; nor is the former society
more necessary to the being of mankind, than
the latter to their well-being and happiness. In
short, if the performance of promises be advan-
tageous, so is obedience to government: If the
former interest be general, so is the latter: If the
one interest be obvious and avowed, so is the
other. And as these two rules are founded on