CHAPTER IV.. That Property Is Impossible

THAT PROPERTY IS IMPOSSIBLE

DEMONSTRATION. AXIOM.

Property is the Right of Increase claimed by the Proprietor over any thing which he has stamped as his own.

FIRST PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because it demands Something for Nothing.

SECOND PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because, wherever it exists, Production costs more than it is worth.

THIRD PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because, with a given Capital, Production is proportional to Labor, not to Property.

FOURTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because it is Homicide.

FIFTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because, if it exists, Society devours itself.

Appendix to the Fifth Proposition.

SIXTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because it is the Mother of Tyranny.

SEVENTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because, in consuming its Receipts, it loses them; in hoarding them, it nullifies them; and, in using them as Capital, it turns them against Production.

EIGHTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because its Power of Accumulation is infinite, and is exercised only over Finite Quantities.

NINTH PROPOSITION Property is Impossible, because it is powerless against Property.

TENTH PROPOSITION. Property is Impossible, because it is the Negation of Equality.