The great and cheif end, therefore, of men uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property… - John Locke

for a man, not having the power of his own life, cannot, by compact, or his own consent, enslave himself to any one,

It is hard to know what other way men can come at truth, to lay hold of it, if they do not dig and search for it as for gold and hid treasure; but he that
does so must have much earth and rubbish before he gets the pure metal; sand, and pebbles, and dross usually lie blended with it, but the gold is nevertheless gold, and will enrich the man that employs his pains to seek and separate it.

Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.