Page:The ethics of Hobbes (IA ethicsofhobbes00hobb).pdf/243

parts, or muscles of a body natural. By "systems," I understand any numbers of men joined in one interest, or one business. Of which, some are "regular," and some "irregular." "Regular" are those, where one man, or assembly of men, is constituted representative of the whole number. All other are "irregular."

Of regular, some are "absolute," and "independent," subject to none but their own representative such are only commonwealths; of which I have spoken already in the five last precedent chapters. Others are dependent; that is to say, subordinate to some sovereign power, to which every one, as also their representative is "subject."

Of systems subordinate, some are "political," and some "private." "Political," otherwise called "bodies politic," and "persons in law," are those, which are made by authority from the sovereign power of the commonwealth. "Private," are those, which are constituted by subjects amongst themselves, or by authority from a stranger. For no authority derived from foreign power, within the dominion of another, is public there, but private.

And of private systems, some are "lawful"; some "unlawful." "Lawful," are those which are allowed by the commonwealth all other are "unlawful." "Irregular" systems, are those which having no representative, consist only in concourse of people; which if not forbidden by the commonwealth, nor made on evil design, such as are conflux of people to markets, or shows, or any other harmless end, are lawful. But when the intention is evil, or (if the number be considerable), unknown, they are unlawful.

In bodies politic, the power of the representative is always limited and that which prescribeth the limits thereof, is the power sovereign. For power unlimited, is absolute sovereignty. And the sovereign in every commonwealth, is the absolute representative of all the subjects; and therefore no other can be representative of any part of