Up to that point, and not further, its intervention is beneficial; beyond that point, it becomes one of the evils it is intended to forestall.

Such then, if the common weal is to be looked after, the sole office of the State is, 1.

to prevent constraint and, therefore, never to use it except to prevent worse constraints; 2.

to secure respect for each individual in his own physical and moral domain; never to encroach on this except for that purpose and then to withdraw immediately; 3.

to abstain from all indiscreet meddling, and yet more, as far as is practicable, without any sacrifice of public security; 4.