To the first I would reply that, when the people abolished all privileges of birth and caste, they did it, in all probability, because it was for their advantage; why then do they favor the privileges of fortune more than those of rank and race?
Because, say they, political inequality is a result of property; and without property society is impossible: thus the question just raised becomes a question of property.

To the second I content myself with this remark: If you wish to enjoy political equality, abolish property; otherwise, why do you complain?
Is property just?
Everybody answers without hesitation, "Yes, property is just." I say everybody, for up to the present time no one who thoroughly understood the meaning of his words has answered no.

For it is no easy thing to reply understandingly to such a question; only time and experience can furnish an answer.

Now, this answer is given; it is for us to understand it.

I undertake to prove it.
We are to proceed with the demonstration in the following order:-- I.We dispute not at all, we refute nobody, we deny nothing; we accept as sound all the arguments alleged in favor of property, and confine ourselves to a search for its principle, in order that we may then ascertain whether this principle is faithfully expressed by property.