BOOK III PART II
We have already shewn, that men invented
the three fundamental laws of nature, when
they observed the necessity of society to their
mutual subsistance, and found, that it was im-
possible to maintain any correspondence to-
gether, without some restraint on their natural
appetites. The same self-love, therefore, which
renders men so incommodious to each other,
taking a new and more convenient direction,
produces the rules of justice, and is the first mo-
tive of their observance. But when men have
observed, that though the rules of justice be
sufficient to maintain any society, yet it is im-
possible for them, of themselves, to observe
those rules, in large and polished societies; they
establish government, as a new invention to at-
tain their ends, and preserve the old, or pro-
cure new advantages, by a more strict execu-
tion of justice. So far, therefore, our civil du-