This is, in effect, no more than to bid them first be
slaves, and then to take care of their liberty, and, when their chains
are on, tell them they may act like free men. This, if barely so, is
rather mockery than relief, and men can never be secure from tyranny
if there be no means to escape it till they are perfectly under it;
and, therefore, it is that they have not only a right to get out of
it, but to prevent it.
221. There is, therefore, secondly, another way whereby
governments are dissolved, and that is, when the legislative, or the
prince, either of them act contrary to their trust.
For the legislative acts against the trust reposed in them when they
endeavour to invade the property of the subject, and to make
themselves, or any part of the community, masters or arbitrary
disposers of the lives, liberties, or fortunes of the people.
222. The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of
their property; and the end while they choose and authorise a
legislative is that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards
and fences to the properties of all the society, to limit the power
and moderate the dominion of every part and member of the society.
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