For I have truly no
property in that which another can by right take from me when he
pleases against my consent. Hence it is a mistake to think that the
supreme or legislative power of any commonwealth can do what it
will, and dispose of the estates of the subject arbitrarily, or take
any part of them at pleasure. This is not much to be feared in
governments where the legislative consists wholly or in part in
assemblies which are variable, whose members upon the dissolution of
the assembly are subjects under the common laws of their country,
equally with the rest. But in governments where the legislative is
in one lasting assembly, always in being, or in one man as in absolute
monarchies, there is danger still, that they will think themselves
to have a distinct interest from the rest of the community, and so
will be apt to increase their own riches and power by taking what they
think fit from the people. For a man's property is not at all
secure, though there be good and equitable laws to set the bounds of
it between him and his fellow-subjects, if he who commands those
subjects have power to take from any private man what part he
pleases of his property, and use and dispose of it as he thinks good.
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