Of the real origin of civil societies. I. CIVIL society is
nothing more, than the union of a multitude of people, who agree
to live in subjection to a sovereign, in order to find, through
his protection and care, the happiness, to which they naturally
aspire. II. Whenever the question concerning the origin of civil
society is started, it may be considered in two different ways;
for either I am asked my opinion concerning the origin of
governments in reality and in fact; or else in regard to the
right of congruity and fitness; that is, what are the reasons,
which should induce mankind to renounce their natural liberty,
and to prefer a civil state to that of nature? Let us see first
what can be said in regard to the fact. III. As the
establishment of society and civil government is almost coeval
with the world, and there are but very few records extant of
those first ages; nothing can be advanced with certainty
concerning the real origin of civil societies. All, that
political writers say upon this subject, is