CHAPTER XXVIII. The Right of Property

THE RIGHT OF PROPERTY

The meaning of the term "property," p. 1.--Savages accused of thievishness, p. 2.--Theft condemned by savages, pp. 2-13.--The condemnation of theft influenced by the value of the goods stolen, pp. 13-15.--The stealing of objects of a certain kind punished with particular severity, p. 14.--The appropriation of a small quantity of food not punished at all, p. 14 sq.--Exceptions to the rule that the punishment of theft is influenced by the worth or nature of the appropriated property, p. 15.--The degree of criminality attached to theft influenced by the place where it is committed, p. 15 sq.--A theft committed by night punished more heavily than one committed by day, p. 16.--Distinction made between ordinary theft and robbery, p. 16 sq.--Distinction made between manifest and non-manifest theft, p. 17.--Successful thieves not disapproved of but rather admired, pp. 17-19.--The moral valuation of theft influenced by the social position of the thief and of the person robbed, p. 19 sq.--Varies according as the victim is a tribesman or fellow-countryman or a stranger, pp. 20-25.--The treatment of ship-wrecked people in Europe, p. 25.--The destruction of property held legitimate in warfare, p. 25 sq.--The seizure of private property in war, p. 26 sq.--Military contributions and requisitions levied upon the inhabitants of the hostile territory, p. 27.--Proprietary incapacities of children, p. 27 sq.--Of women, pp. 28-31.--Of slaves, pp. 31-33.--The theory that nobody but the chief or king has proprietary rights, p. 33.