Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/227

 Inequality between the Members, at the time they firt coaleced into a political Body. Where a Man happened to be eminent for Power, for Virtue, for Riches, or for Credit, he became ole Magitrate, and the State aumed a monarchical Form; if many of pretty equal Eminence out-topt all the ret, they were jointly elected, and this Election produced an Aritocracy; thoe, between whoe Fortune or Talents there happened to be no uch Diproportion, and who had deviated les from the State of Nature, retained in common the upreme Adminitration, and formed a Democracy. Time demontrated which of thee Forms uited Mankind bet. Some remained altogether ubject to the Laws; others oon bowed their Necks to Maters. The former laboured to preerve their Liberty; the latter thought of nothing but invading that of their Neighbours,