BOOK III PART II
of nature concerning the stability of possession.
It is highly advantageous, and even absolutely
necessary to society, that possession should be
stable; and this leads us to the establishment
of such a rule: But we find, that were we to
follow the same advantage, in assigning par-
ticular possessions to particular persons, we
should disappoint our end, and perpetuate the
confusion, which that rule is intended to pre-
vent. We must, therefore, proceed by general
rules, and regulate ourselves by general inter-
ests, in modifying the law of nature concern-
ing the stability of possession. Nor need we
fear, that our attachment to this law will dimin-
ish upon account of the seeming frivolousness
of those interests, by which it is determined.
The impulse of the mind is derived from a very
strong interest; and those other more minute
interests serve only to direct the motion, with-