§. 8. And thus, in the state of Nature, one man comes by a power over another,
but yet no absolute or arbitrary power to use a criminal, when he has got him
in his hands, according to the passionate heats or boundless extravagancy of
his own will, 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, which is that we call punishment. In
transgressing the law of Nature, the offender declares himself to live by
another rule than that of reason and common equity, which is that measure God
has set to the actions of men for their mutual security, and so he becomes
dangerous to mankind; the tie which is to secure them from injury and violence
being slighted and broken by him, which being a trespass against the whole
species, and the peace and safety of it, provided for by the law of Nature,
every man upon this score, by the right he hath to preserve mankind in general,
may restrain, or where it is necessary, destroy things noxious to them, and so
may bring such evil on any one who hath transgressed that law, as may make him
repent the doing of it, and thereby deter him, and, by his example, others from
doing the like mischief. And in this case, and upon this ground, every man hath
a right to punish the offender, and be executioner of the law of Nature.
