The Second Treatise of Civil
Government 1690 :
"That the aggressor, who puts himself into the state of war with
another, and unjustly invades another man's right, can, by such an
unjust war, never come to have a right over the conquered, will be
easily agreed by all men, who will not think that robbers and pirates
have a right of empire over whomsoever they have force enough to
master, or that men are bound by promises which unlawful force extorts
from them."
"Should a robber break into my house, and, with a dagger at my throat,
make me seal deeds to convey my estate to him, would this give him any
title? Just such a title by his sword has an unjust conqueror who
forces me into submission. The injury and the crime is equal, whether
committed by the wearer of a crown or some petty villain."
"The title of the offender and the number of his followers make no
difference in the offense, unless it be to aggravate it. The only
difference is, great robbers punish little ones to keep them in their
obedience; but the great ones are rewarded with laurels and triumphs,
because they are too big for the weak hands of justice in this world,
and have the power in their own possession which should punish
offenders."
-- *John Locke* - 1632-1704 -
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