Margin: The generation of a Commonwealth
(¶ 17.7)
The only way to erect such a common power, as may be able to defend them
from the invasion of foreigners, and the injuries of one another, and
thereby to secure them in such sort as that by their own industry and by
the fruits of the earth they may nourish themselves and live contentedly,
is to confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one
assembly of men, that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of voices,
unto one will: which is as much as to say, to appoint one man, or assembly
of men, to bear their person; and every one to own and acknowledge himself
to be author of whatsoever he that so beareth their person shall act, or
cause to be acted, in those things which concern the common peace and
safety; and therein to submit their wills, every one to his will, and their
judgements to his judgement. This is more than consent, or concord; it is a
real unity of them all in one and the same person, made by covenant of
every man with every man, in such manner as if every man should say to
every man: I authorise and give up my right of governing myself to this
man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition; that thou give up, thy
right to him, and authorise all his actions in like manner. This done, the
multitude so united in one person is called a COMMONWEALTH; in Latin,
CIVITAS. This is the generation of that great LEVIATHAN, or rather, to
speak more reverently, of that mortal god to which we owe, under the
immortal God, our peace and defence. For by this authority, given him by
every particular man in the Commonwealth, he hath the use of so much power
and strength conferred on him that, by terror thereof, he is enabled to
form the wills of them all, to peace at home, and mutual aid against their
enemies abroad. And in him consisteth the essence of the Commonwealth;
which, to define it, is: one person, of whose acts a great multitude, by
mutual covenants one with another, have made themselves every one the
author, to the end he may use the strength and means of them all as he
shall think expedient for their peace and common defence.
(¶ 17.8)
And he that carryeth this person is called
sovereign, and said to have
sovereign power; and every one besides, his subject.
(¶ 17.9)
The attaining to this sovereign power is by two ways. One, by natural
force: as when a man maketh his children to submit themselves, and their
children, to his government, as being able to destroy them if they refuse;
or by war subdueth his enemies to his will, giving them their lives on that
condition. The other, is when men agree amongst themselves to submit to
some man, or assembly of men, voluntarily, on confidence to be protected by
him against all others. This latter may be called a political Commonwealth,
or Commonwealth by Institution; and the former, a Commonwealth by
acquisition. And first, I shall speak of a Commonwealth by institution.