 A fundamental use of speech is to regulate humans’ use of external things by appeal to the right of appropriation or dominion. The latter rests on things’ necessity or utility for humans, and their presumed (and divinely intended) availability for man’s use because of these features (DJN IV.3.1–3). Property designates a moral quality imposed on things, and it has a moral effect on other humans rather than (or beside) a physical impact on the things or animals owned (DJN IV.4.1). That is, it is a social relationship among humans (thus, solitary Adam’s relation to things was not ownership per se, and could not be transmitted) based on express or tacit agreements that may vary according to circumstances, so long as the ends of human sociality are served (DJN IV.4.4). Before or without such agreements, worldly objects are in a state of negative community, meaning that they belong to no one in particular but lie open for anyone to use as needed (DJN IV.4.2–3, 4.13). 