BOOK III PART II
SECTIONVIII. ON THESOURCE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Though government be an invention very
advantageous, and even in some circumstances
absolutely necessary to mankind; it is not nec-
essary in all circumstances, nor is it impossi-
ble for men to preserve society for some time,
without having recourse to such an invention.
Men, it is true, are always much inclined to
prefer present interest to distant and remote;
nor is it easy for them to resist the temptation
of any advantage, that they may immediately
enjoy, in apprehension of an evil that lies at
a distance from them: But still this weakness
is less conspicuous where the possessions, and
the pleasures of life are few, and of little value,
as they always are in the infancy of society. An
Indian is but little tempted to dispossess an-