The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If "Thou shall not covet," and "Thou shall not steal," are not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.


Ch. 1 Marchamont Nedham : The Right Constitution of a Commonwealth Examined - A Defence of the Constitutions of Government (1787)

Property: John Adams, Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States[press-pubs.uchicago.edu]


The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public...

The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public...

The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public...

The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public...