The first duty of the sovereign， that of protecting the society from the violence and invasion of other independent societies， can be performed only by means of a military force.
To feel much for others and little for ourselves； to restrain our selfishness and exercise our benevolent affections， constitute the perfection of human nature.
The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition， when suffered to exert itself with freedom and security， is so powerful a principle that it is alone， and without any assistance， not only capable of carrying on the society to wealth and prosperity but of surmounting a hundred impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often encumbers its operations.
The statesman， who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals， would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention but assume an authority which could safely be trusted， not only to no single person， but to no council or senate whatever， and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.
People of the same trade seldom meet together， even for merriment and diversion， but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public， or in some contrivance to raise prices.
Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace， easy taxes， and a tolerable administration of justice.
