"To understand political power aright, and derive it from its original, we must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons as they see fit. Within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man." (at 4.)

  "...The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges everyone; and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that, being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions...." (at 6.)

  "Man...hath by nature power not only to preserve his property - that is his life, liberty, and estate - against the injuries and attempts of other men, but to judge and punish the breaches of that law by others as he is persuaded the offense deserves..." (at 87.)

  "And thus in the state of nature one man comes by a power over another; but yet no absolute or arbitrary power;...but only to retribute to him so far as calm reason and conscience dictate what is proportionate to his transgression, which is so much as may serve for reparation and restraint. For these two are the only reasons why one man may lawfully do harm to another..." (at 8.)]

  "...he seeks out and is willing to join in society with others, who are already united, or have a mind to unite, for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name property...The great chief end, therefore, of men's uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property..." (at 121.) 

  "But though men when they enter into society give up the equality, liberty and executive power they had in the state of nature into the hands of the society, to be so far disposed of by the legislature as the good of society should require; yet it being only with an intention in everyone the better to preserve himself, his liberty, and property (for no rational creature can be supposed to change his condition with an intention to be worse), the power of the society, or legislative constituted by them, can never be supposed to extend farther than the common good, but is obliged to secure everyone's property ..." (at 131.)