§. 22. This freedom from absolute, arbitrary power is so necessary to, and
closely joined with, a man's preservation, that he cannot part with it but by
what forfeits his preservation and life together. For a man, not having the
power of his own life, cannot by compact or his own consent enslave himself to
any one, nor put himself under the absolute, arbitrary power of another to take
away his life when he pleases. Nobody can give more power than he has himself,
and he that cannot take away his own life cannot give another power over it.
Indeed, having by his fault forfeited his own life by some act that deserves
death, he to whom he has forfeited it may, when he has him in his power, delay
to take it, and make use of him to his own service; and he does him no injury
by it. For, whenever he finds the hardship of his slavery outweigh the value of
his life, it is in his power, by resisting the will of his master, to draw on
himself the death he desires.
