Single Idea 19898

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights]

Full Idea

The sergeant that can command a soldier to march up to the mouth of a cannon ...cannot command that soldier to give him one penny of his money.

Gist of Idea

Soldiers can be commanded to die, but not to hand over their money

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 139)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.188


A Reaction

A very nice and accurate illustration of a principle which runs so deep that it does indeed look like a basis of society.