HIST 11B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Barter, Ten Acres, Meddle
Document Summary
Whether we consider natural reason, which tells us, that men, being once born, have a right to their preservation, and consequently to meat and drink, and such other things as nature affords for their subsistence: Noah, and his sons, it is very clear, that god, as king david says, psal. cxv. 16. has given the earth to the children of men; given it to mankind in common. God, who hath given the world to men in common, hath also given them reason to make use of it to the best advantage of life, and convenience. Though the earth, and all inferior creatures, be common to all men, yet every man has a property in his own person: this no body has any right to but himself. No body can deny but the nourishment is his. If such a consent as that was necessary, man had starved, notwithstanding the plenty god had given him.
