BOOK III PART II
ing seconded by the notions of glory and hon-
our, which we ascribe to conquerors, instead of
the sentiments of hatred and detestation, which
attend usurpers. Men naturally favour those
they love; and therefore are more apt to as-
cribe a right to successful violence, betwixt one
sovereign and another, than to the successful
rebellion of a subject against his sovereign.^23
When neither long possession, nor present
possession, nor conquest take place, as when
(^23) It is not here asserted, that present possession or
conquest are sufficient to give a title against long pos-
session and positive laws but only that they have some
force, and will be able to call the ballance where the titles
are otherwise equal, and will even be sufficient some-
times to sanctify the weaker title. What degree of force
they have is difficult to determine. I believe all moderate
men will allow, that they have great force in all disputes
concerning the rights of princes.