irtue implies that of society; public utility is its
sole origin; and the measure of its usefulness is also the standard of
its merit. If every man possessed everything he wanted, and no one had
the power to interfere with such possession; or if no man desired that
which could damage his fellow-man, justice would have no part to play
in the universe. But as Hume observes:--

"In the present disposition of the human heart, it would perhaps be
difficult to find complete instances of such enlarged affections;
but still we may observe that the case of families approaches
towards it; and the stronger the mutual benevolence is among the
individuals, the nearer it approaches, till all distinction of
property be in a great measure lost and confounded among them.
Between married persons, the cement of friendship is by the laws
supposed so strong, as to abolish all division of possessions, and
has often, in reality, the force assigned to it.[45] And it is
observable that, during the ardour of new enthusiasms, when every
principle is inflamed into extravagance, the community of goods has
frequently been attempted; and nothing but experience of its
inconveniences, from the returning or disguised selfishness of men,
could make the imprudent fanatics adopt anew the ideas of justice
and separate property. So true is it that this virtue derives its
existence entirely from its necessary _use_ to the intercourse and
social state of mankind."--(IV. p. 256.)

"Were the human species so framed by nature as that each individual
possessed within himself every faculty requisite both for his own
preservation and for the propagation of his kind: Were all society
and intercourse cut off between man and man by the primary
intention of the Supreme Creator: It seems evident that so solitary
a being would be as much incapable of justice as of social
discourse and conversation. Where mutual regard and forbearance
serve to no manner of purpose, they would never direct the conduct
of any reasonable man. The headlong course of the passions would be
checked by no reflection on future consequences. And as each man
is here supposed to love himself alone, and to depend only on
himself and his own activity for safety and happiness, he would, on
every occasion, to the utmost of his power, challenge the
pref