Chapter II: Benefits Arising from the Genuine System of Property

Contrasted with the mischiefs of the present system, as consisting—1. In a sense of dependence. 2. In the perpetual spectacle of injustice, leading men astray in their desires—and perverting the integrity of their judgments—the rich are the true pensioners.—3. In the discouragement of intellectual attainments.—4....

Chapter IV: Of the Application of Coercion

Delinquency and coercion incommensurable—external action no proper subject of criminal animadversion—how far capable of proof.—Iniquity of this standard in a moral—and in a political view.—Propriety of a retribution to be measured by the intention of the offender considered.—Such a project would overturn criminal law—would abolish...

Chapter III: Of the Purposes of Coercion

Nature of defence considered.—Coercion for restraint—for reformation.—Supposed uses of adversity—defective—unnecessary.—Coercion for example—1. Nugatory.—The necessity of political coercion arises from the defects of political institution.—2. Unjust.—Unfeeling character of this species of coercion. Proceed we to consider three principal ends that coercion proposes to itself,...

Chapter XVII: Of the Object of War

The repelling an invader.—Not reformation—not restraint—not indemnification.—Nothing can be a sufficient object of war that is not a sufficient cause for beginning it.—Reflections on the balance of power. Let us pass from the causes to the objects of war. As defence is the...

Chapter XII: Of Titles

Their origin and history.—Their miserable absurdity.—Truth the only adequate reward of merit. The case of mere titles is so absurd that it would deserve to be treated only with ridicule, were it not for the serious mischiefs it imposes on mankind. The feudal...

Chapter IV: Of a Virtuous Despotism

Supposed excellence of this form of government controverted—from the narrowness of human powers.—Case of a vicious administration—of a virtuous administration intended to be formed.—Monarchy not adapted to the government of large states. There is a principle frequently maintained upon this subject, which is...

Chapter III: Private Life of a Prince

Principles by which he is influenced—irresponsibility—impatience of control—habits of dissipation—ignorance—dislike of truth—dislike of justice—pitiable situation of princes. Such is the culture; the fruit that it produces may easily be conjectured. The fashion which is given to the mind in youth, it ordinarily retains...

Chapter I: Introduction

Retrospect of principles already established.—Distribution of the remaining subjects.—Subject of the present book.—Forms of government.—Method of examination to be adopted. In the preceding divisions of this work the ground has been sufficiently cleared to enable us to proceed with considerable explicitness and satisfaction...

Chapter V: Of Free Will and Necessity

Importance of the question.—Definition of necessity.—Why supposed to exist in the operations of the material universe.—The case of the operations of mind is parallel.—Indications of necessity—in history—in our judgments of character—in our schemes of policy—in our ideas of moral discipline.—Objection from the fallibility of our...

Chapter IV: Of the Cultivation of Truth

Perhaps there cannot be a subject of greater political importance, or better calculated to lead us in safety through the mazes of controversy, than that of the value of truth. Truth may be considered by us, either abstractedly, as it relates to certain general...