§. 90. And hence it is evident that absolute monarchy, which by some men is
counted for the only government in the world, is indeed inconsistent with civil
society, and so can be not form of civil government at all. For the end of
civil society being to avoid and remedy those inconveniences of the state of
Nature which necessarily follow from every man's being judge in his own case,
by setting up a known authority to which every one of that society may appeal
upon any injury received, or controversy that may arise, and which every one of
the society ought to obey.[1] Wherever any
persons are who have not such an authority to appeal to, and decide any
difference between them there, those persons are still in the state of Nature.
And so is every absolute prince in respect of those who are under his dominion.
