r from the
known properties of human nature. When the mind is
determined to join certain objects, but undetermined in its
choice of the particular objects, It naturally turns its eye
to such as are related together. They are already united in
the mind: They present themselves at the same time to the
conception; and instead of requiring any new reason for
their conjunction, it would require a very powerful reason
to make us over-look this natural affinity. This we shall
have occasion to explain more fully afterwards, when we come
to treat of beauty. In the mean time, we may content
ourselves with observing, that the same love of order and
uniformity, which arranges the books in a library, and the
chairs in a parlour, contribute to the formation of society,
and to the well-being of mankind, by modifying the general
rule concerning the stability of possession. And as property
forms a relation betwixt a person and an object, it is
natural to found it on some preceding relation; and as
property Is nothing but a constant possession, secured by
the laws of society, it is natural to add it to the present
possession, which is a relation that resembles it. For this
also has its influence. If it be natural to conjoin all
sorts of relations, it is more so, to conjoin such relations
as are resembling, and are related together.]

But we may observe, that though the rule of the assignment of property
to the present possessor be natural, and by that means useful, yet its
utility extends not beyond the first formation of society; nor would any
thing be more pernicious, than the constant observance of it; by which
restitution would be excluded, and every injustice would be authorized
and rewarded. We must, therefore, seek for some other circumstance, that
may give rise to property after society is once established; and of
this kind, I find four most considerable, viz. Occupation, Prescription,
Accession, and Succession. We shall briefly examine each of these,
beginning with Occupation.

The possession of all external goods is changeable and uncertain; which
is one of the most considerable impediments to the establishment of
society, and is the reason why, by universal agreement, express or
tacite, men restrain themselves by what we now call the rules of justice
and equity. The misery of the condition, which precedes thi