This is the reason: That the English have laws and obey them, and
the gipsies have none. This is the whole secret. This is why
savages remain poor and miserable, that each man does what he likes
without law. This is why civilised nations like England thrive and
prosper, because they have laws and obey them, and every man does not
do what he likes, but what the law likes. Laws are made not for the
good of one person here, or the other person there, but for the good
of all; and, therefore, the very notion of a civilised country is, a
country in which people cannot do what they like with their own, as
the savages do. "Not do what he likes with his own?" Certainly not;
no one can or does. If you have property, you cannot spend it all as
you like. You have to pay a part of it to the government, that is,
into the common stock, for the common good, in the shape of rates and
taxes, before you can spend any of it on yourself. If you take
wages, you cannot spend them all upon yourself and do what you like
with them. If you do not support your wife and family out of them,
the law will punish you. You cannot do what you like with your own
gun, for you may not shoot your neighbour's cattle or game with it.
You cannot do what you like with your own hands, for the law forbids
you to steal with them.
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