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y of natural provisions there was a long time in the world； and the few spenders； and to how small a part of that provision the industry of one man could extend itself； and ingross it to the prejudice of others； especially keeping within the bounds； set by reason； of what might serve for his use； there could be then little room for quarrels or contentions about property so established。 Sec。 32。 But the chief matter of property being now not the fruits of the earth； and the beasts that subsist on it； but the earth itself； as that which takes in and carries with it all the rest； I think it is plain； that property in that too is acquired as the former。 As much land as a man tills； plants； improves； cultivates； and can use the product of； so much is his property。 He by his labour does； as it were； inclose it from the common。 Nor will it invalidate his right； to say every body else has an equal title to it； and therefore he cannot appropriate； he cannot inclose； without the consent of all his fellow…commoners； all mankind。 God； when he gave the world in common to all mankind； commanded man also to labour； and the penury of his condition required it of him。 God and his reason commanded him to subdue the earth； i。e。 improve it for the benefit of life； and therein lay out something upon it that was his own； his labour。 He that in obedience to this command of God； subdued； tilled and sowed any part of it； thereby annexed to it something that was his property； which another had no title to； nor could without injury take from him。 Sec。 33。 Nor was this appropriation of any parcel of land； by improving it； any prejudice to any other man； since there was still enough； and as good left； and more than the yet unprovided could use。 So that； in effect； there was never the
less left for others because of his enclosure for himself： for he that leaves as much as another can make use of； does as good as take nothing at all。 No body could think himself injured by the drinking of another man； though he took a good draught； who had a whole river of the same water left him to quench his thirst： and the case of land and water； where there is enough of both； is perfectly the same。 Sec。 34。 God gave the world to men in common； but since he gave it them for their benefit； and the greatest conveniencies of life they were capable to draw from it； it cannot be supposed he meant it should always remain common and uncultivated。 He gave it to the use of the industrious and rational； （and labour was to be his title to it；） not to the fancy or covetousness of the quarrelsome and contentious。 He that had as good left for his improvement； as was already taken up； needed not complain； ought not to meddle with what was already improved by another's labour： if he did； it is plain he desired the benefit of another's pains； which he had no right to； and not the ground which God had given him in common with others to labour on； and whereof there was as good left； as that already possessed； and more than he knew what to do with； or his industry could reach to。 Sec。 35。 It is true； in land that is common in England； or any other country； where there is plenty of people under government； who have money and commerce； no one can inclose or appropriate any part； without the consent of all his fellow… commoners； because this is left common by compact； i。e。 by the law of the land； which is not to be violated。 And though it be common； in respect of some men； it is not so to all mankind； but is the joint property of this country； or this parish。 Besides； the remainder； after such enclosure； would not be as good to the rest of the commoners； as the whole was when they could all make use of the whole； whereas in the beginning and first peopling of the great common of the world； it was quite otherwise。 The law man was under； was rather for appropriating。 God commanded； and his wants forced him to labour。 That was his property which could not be taken from him where…ever he had fixed it。 And hence subduing or cultivating the earth； and having dominion； we see are joined together。 The one gave title to the other。 So that God； by commanding to subdue； gave authority so far to appropriate： and the condition of human life； which requires labour and materials to work on； necessarily introduces private possessions。 Sec。 36。 The measure of property nature has well set by the extent of men's labour and the conveniencies of life： no man's labour could subdue； or appropriate all； nor could his enjoyment consume more than a small part； so that it was impossible for any man； this way； to intrench upon the right of another； or acquire to himself a property； to the prejudice of his neighbour； who would still have room for as good； and as large a possession （after the other had taken out his） as before it was appropriated。 This measure did confine every man's possession to a very moderate proportion； and such as he might appropriate to himself； without injury to any body； in the first ages of the world； when men were more in danger to be lost； by wandering from their company； in the then vast wilderness of the earth； than to be straitened for want of room to plant in。 And the same measure may be allowed still without prejudice to any body； as full as the world seems： for supposing a man； or family； in the state they were at first peopling of the world by the children of Adam； or Noah； let him plant in some inland； vacant places of America； we shall find that the possessions he could make himself； upon the measures we have given； would not be very large； nor； even to this day； prejudice the rest of mankind； or give them reason to complain； or think themselves injured by this man's incroachment； though the race of men have now spread themselves to all the corners of the world； and do
infinitely exceed the small number was at the beginning。 Nay； the extent of ground is of so little value； without labour； that I have heard it affirmed； that in Spain itself a man may be permitted to plough； sow and reap； without being disturbed； upon land he has no other title to； but only his making use of it。 But； on the contrary； the inhabitants think themselves beholden to him； who； by his industry on neglected； and consequently waste land； has increased the stock of corn； which they wanted。 But be this as it will； which I lay no stress on； this I dare boldly affirm； that the same rule of propriety； （viz。） that every man should have as much as he could make use of； would hold still in the world； without straitening any body； since there is land enough in the world to suffice double the inhabitants； had not the invention of money； and the tacit agreement of men to put a value on it； introduced （by consent） larger possessions； and a right to them； which； how it has done； I shall by and by shew more at large。 Sec。 37。 This is certain； that in the beginning； before the desire of having more than man needed had altered the intrinsic value of things； which depends only on their usefulness to the life of man； or had agreed； that a little piece of yellow m