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slation；＇1＇ paid to defend it； undermines it with redoubled blows； at anothertime； an academy calls it in question；＇2＇ or inquires as to the progress of its demolition。＇3＇ To…day there is not an idea； not an opinion； not a sect； which does not dream of muzzling property。 None confess it； because none are yet conscious of it； there are too few minds capable of grasping spontaneously this ensemble of causes and effects； of principles and consequences； by which I try to demonstrate the approaching disappearance of property； on the other hand； the ideas that are generally formed of this right are too divergent and too loosely determined to allow an admission； so soon； of the contrary theory。 Thus； in the middle and lower ranks of literature and philosophy； no less than among the common people； it is thought that； when property is abolished； no one will be able to enjoy the fruit of his labor； that no one will have any thing peculiar to himself； and that tyrannical communism will be established on the ruins of family and liberty！chimeras； which are to support for a little while longer the cause of privilege。
＇1＇ MM。 Blanqui and Wolowski。
＇2＇ Subject proposed by the Fourth Class of the Institute； the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences： 〃What would be the effect upon the working…class of the organization of labor； according to the modern ideas of association？〃
＇3＇ Subject proposed by the Academy of Besancon： 〃The economical and moral consequences in France； up to the present time； and those which seem likely to appear in future； of the law concerning the equal division of hereditary property between the children。〃
But； before determining precisely the idea of property； before seeking amid the contradictions of systems for the common element which must form the basis of the new right； let us cast a rapid glance at the changes which； at the various periods of history； property has undergone。 The political forms of nations are the expression of their beliefs。 The mobility of these forms； their modification and their destruction； are solemn experiences which show us the value of ideas； and gradually eliminate from the infinite variety of customs the absolute； eternal； and immutable truth。 Now； we shall see that every political institution tends； necessarily； and on pain of death； to equalize conditions； that every where and always equality of fortunes （like equality of rights） has been the social aim； whether the plebeian classes have endeavored to rise to political power by means of property； or whetherrulers alreadythey have used political power to overthrow property。 We shall see； in short； by the progress of society； that the consummation of justice lies in the extinction of individual domain。
For the sake of brevity； I will disregard the testimony of ecclesiastical history and Christian theology： this subject deserves a separate treatise； and I propose hereafter to return to it。 Moses and Jesus Christ proscribed； under the names of usury and inequality；＇1＇ all sorts of profit and increase。 The church itself； in its purest teachings； has always condemned property； and when I attacked； not only the authority of the church； but also its infidelity to justice； I did it to the glory of religion。 I wanted to provoke a peremptory reply； and to pave the way for Christianity's triumph； in spite of the innumerable attacks of which it is at present the object。 I hoped that an apologist would arise forthwith； and； taking his stand upon the Scriptures； the Fathers； the canons； and the councils and constitutions of the Popes； would demonstrate that the church always has maintained the doctrine of equality； and would attribute to temporary necessity the contradictions of its discipline。 Such a labor would serve the cause of religion as well as that of equality。 We must know； sooner or later； whether Christianity is to be regenerated in the church or out of it； and whether this church accepts the reproaches cast upon it of hatred to liberty and antipathy to progress。 Until then we will suspend judgment； and content ourselves with placing before the clergy the teachings of history。
＇1＇ ｛GREEK； ？n n ‘｝；greater property。 The Vulgate translates it avaritia。
When Lycurgus undertook to make laws for Sparta； in what condition did he find this republic？ On this point all historians agree。 The people and the nobles were at war。 The city was in a confused state； and divided by two parties；the party of the poor； and the party of the rich。 Hardly escaped from the barbarism of the heroic ages； society was rapidly declining。 The proletariat made war upon property； which； in its turn； oppressed the proletariat。 What did Lycurgus do？ His first measure was one of general security； at the very idea of which our legislators would tremble。 He abolished all debts； then； employing by turns persuasion and force； he induced the nobles to renounce their privileges； and re…established equality。
Lycurgus； in a word； hunted property out of Lacedaemon； seeing no other way to harmonize liberty； equality； and law。 I certainly should not wish France to follow the example of Sparta； but it is remarkable that the most ancient of Greek legislators； thoroughly acquainted with the nature and needs of the people； more capable than any one else of appreciating the legitimacy of the obligations which he； in the exercise of his absolute authority； cancelled； who had compared the legislative systems of his time； and whose wisdom an oracle had proclaimed； it is remarkable； I say； that Lycurgus should have judged the right of property incompatible with free institutions； and should have thought it his duty to preface his legislation by a coup d'etat which destroyed all distinctions of fortune。
Lycurgus understood perfectly that the luxury； the love of enjoyments； and the inequality of fortunes； which property engenders； are the bane of society； unfortunately the means which he employed to preserve his republic were suggested to him by false notions of political economy； and by a superficial knowledge of the human heart。 Accordingly； property； which this legislator wrongly confounded with wealth； reentered the city together with the swarm of evils which he was endeavoring to banish； and this time Sparta was hopelessly corrupted。
〃The introduction of wealth；〃 says M。 Pastoret； 〃was one of the principal causes of the misfortunes which they experienced。 Against these； however； the laws had taken extraordinary precautions； the best among which was the inculcation of morals which tended to suppress desire。〃
The best of all precautions would have been the anticipation of desire by satisfaction。 Possession is the sovereign remedy for cupidity； a remedy which would have been the less perilous to Sparta because fortunes there were almost equal； and conditions were nearly alike。 As a general thing； fasting and abstinence are bad teachers of moderation。
〃There was a law；〃 says M。 Pastoret again； 〃to prohibit the rich from wearing better clothing than the poor； from eating more delicate food； and from owning elegant furniture； vases； carpets； fine houses；〃 &c。 Lycurgus hoped； then； to maintain equality by renderi