So drives  thro'just and thro' unjust,
To One man's Pow'r, Ambition, Lucre, Lust:
The same Self-love, in All, becomes the cause
Of what restrains him, Government and Laws.
For what one likes if others like as well,
What serves one Will when many Wills rebel?
How shall he keep, what sleeping or awake
A weaker may surprize, a stronger take?
His Safety must his Liberty restrain;
All join to guard what each desires to gain.
Forc'd into Virtue thus by Self-defence,
Ev'n Kings learn'd Justice and Benevolence:
Self-love forsook the path it first pursu'd,
And found the private in the public Good.