De Jure Belli et Pacis (Bk. I., chap. 1., � 3), runs as follows: — Jus hic nihil aliud, quam quod justum est, significant, idque negante magis sensu, quam aiente, ut jus sit, quod injustum non est. The negative character of justice is also established, little as it may appear, even by the familiar formula: “Give to each one his own.” Now, there is no need to give a man his own, if he has it.

The real meaning is therefore: “Take from none his own.” Since the requirements of justice are only negative, they may be effected by coercion; for the Neminem laede can be practised by all alike. The coercive apparatus is the state, whose sole raison d'�tre is to protect its subjects, individually from each other, and collectively from external foes. It is true that a few German would-be