We can understand how, as men multiplied on the face of the earth, many distinctions in society would naturally arise. Some men would possess greater abilities than others, and exercise greater industry; and, in consequence, would acquire greater possessions. Thus they would have the means of purchasing greater accommodations for themselves; and those who did not possess so much, would be glad to serve them for what they wanted and the others could spare. Thus, the distinctions of masters and servants, teachers and learners, employers and employed, would speedily arise; and, in all these relations, the end proposed would be the mutual benefit of both parties. But we cannot thus account for slavery. God never gave to any one human being this absolute authority over another: there is nothing in the nature and constitution of society to require or justify it, nor can it exist without setting at nought all just laws, human and divine.—" God has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon the face of the earth; and he has given to every man certain natural rights, which another man cannot have a right to take from him. These are, his right to his life, limbs, and liberty: his right, in common with others, to the use of light, air, and water, and his right to the produce of his personal labour. If a thousand persons, from a thousand different parts of the world, were cast together upon a previously uninhabited island, every one of them would, from the first, be entitled to these rights."[1] Nothing can forfeit them but an infringement on the rights of others. Thus, it may be necessary to deprive a madman, or a murderer, of
- ↑ Paley
