Second Treatise of Government

by

John Locke

A state of “enmity and destruction,” as defined by Locke, in which one may kill another. Anyone who attempts to exert absolute power over another—such as in an absolute monarchy—is in a state of war with that person, as being free from absolute power is essential for self-preservation. According to Locke, any use of force without authorization places one in a state of war with another, and that state of war continues until the force stops. Locke contends that a state of nature eventually leads to a state of war, because nature lacks an impartial judge.

State of War Quotes in Second Treatise of Government

The Second Treatise of Government quotes below are all either spoken by State of War or refer to State of War. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
).
Chapter 3: Of the State of War Quotes

And here we have the plain difference between the state of nature and the state of war, which however some men have confounded, are as far distant, as a state of peace, good will, mutual assistance and preservation, and a state of enmity, malice, violence and mutual destruction, are one from another. Men living together according to reason, without a common superior on earth, with authority to judge between them, is properly the state of nature.

Related Characters: John Locke (speaker), Thomas Hobbes
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16: Of Conquest Quotes

That the aggressor, who puts himself into the state of war with another, and unjustly invades another man's right, can, by such an unjust war, never come to have a right over the conquered, will be easily agreed by all men, who will not think, that robbers and pyrates have a right of empire over whomsoever they have force enough to master; or that men are bound by promises, which unlawful force extorts from them.

Related Characters: John Locke (speaker)
Page Number: 91
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19: Of the Dissolution of Government Quotes

He that will with any clearness speak of the dissolution of government, ought in the first place to distinguish between the dissolution of the society and the dissolution of the government. That which makes the community, and brings men out of the loose state of nature, into one politic society, is the agreement which every one has with the rest to incorporate, and act as one body, and so be one distinct common-wealth. The usual, and almost only way whereby this union is dissolved, is the inroad of foreign force making a conquest upon them: for in that case, (not being able to maintain and support themselves, as one intire and independent body) the union belonging to that body which consisted therein, must necessarily cease, and so every one return to the state he was in before, with a liberty to shift for himself, and provide for his own safety, as he thinks fit, in some other society. Whenever the society is dissolved, it is certain the government of that society cannot remain.

Related Characters: John Locke (speaker)
Page Number: 107
Explanation and Analysis:
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State of War Term Timeline in Second Treatise of Government

The timeline below shows where the term State of War appears in Second Treatise of Government. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3: Of the State of War
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
Locke defines the state of war as a state of “enmity and destruction.” As everyone has the right to self-preservation through... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
Anyone who attempts to assert absolute power on another automatically enters into a state of war , Locke argues, as being free from the force of such absolute power is essential... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...that they will not stop at that. As the thief has thus entered into a state of war , it is lawful to kill a thief. The difference between a state of war... (full context)
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
After the force ceases during a state of war , the war is over; however, both sides have a right to reparation for their... (full context)
Chapter 4: Of Slavery
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...another under their will, as is done in slavery, this is nothing but a continued state of war , Locke contends. However, if two people enter into an agreement in which one has... (full context)
Chapter 7: Of Political of Civil Society
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...the contract that exists between them. Slaves, Locke continues, who are captured in a just state of war , are subject to the absolute and arbitrary power of their master. In a state... (full context)
Chapter 13: Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Common-wealth
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...as scheduled without the authority of the people, the executive power places itself in a state of war with the common-wealth, who has the right to reinstate and exercise the power of the... (full context)
Chapter 15: Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, considered together
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...thus, it is effectively a forfeiture of life when the aggressor puts themselves in a state of war with another. Despotical power does not arise from any sort of agreement or contract, so... (full context)
Chapter 16: Of Conquest
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...conquered is only despotical. The conqueror has absolute power over those lives forfeited through the state of war ; however, the conqueror does not have power over those not engaged in a state... (full context)
Chapter 18: Of Tyranny
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
...Unless, of course, the prince dissolves the contract of government by placing himself into a state of war with the people. There must be limitations put upon the law, Locke says. For example,... (full context)
Chapter 19: Of the Dissolution of Government
Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon
Consent of the Governed and the Role of Government Theme Icon
Power and Absolute Monarchies Theme Icon
The Dissolution of Government Theme Icon
...or infringing on the people’s lives. When this happens, the legislative puts themselves in a state of war with the common-wealth, and the people have a right to resist as they see fit.   (full context)