BOOK III PART II
which affords it an opportunity of exerting it-
self. There are different species of goods, which
we are possessed of; the internal satisfaction
of our minds, the external advantages of our
body, and the enjoyment of such possessions
as we have acquired by our industry and good
fortune. We are perfectly secure in the enjoy-
ment of the first. The second may be ravished
from us, but can be of no advantage to him who
deprives us of them. The last only are both
exposed to the violence of others, and may be
transferred without suffering any loss or alter-
ation; while at the same time, there is not a suf-
ficient quantity of them to supply every one’s
desires and necessities. As the improvement,
therefore, of these goods is the chief advantage
of society, so the instability of their possession,
along with their scarcity, is the chief impedi-
ment.