1. SOCRATES _is a man, and therefore a living creature_, is right reasoning; and that most evident, because there is nothing needful to the acknowledging of the truth of the consequence, but that the word _man_ be understood; because _a living creature_ is in the definition itself of _a man_, and every one makes up the proposition which was desired, namely this, _man is a living creature_. And this, _Sophroniscus is Socrates’ father, and therefore his lord_, is perhaps a true inference, but not evident; because the word _lord_ is not in the definition of _a father_: wherefore it is necessary, to make it more evident, that the connexion of _father_ and _lord_ be somewhat unfolded. Those that have hitherto endeavoured to prove the dominion of a parent over his children, have brought no other argument than that of _generation_; as if it were of itself evident, that what is begotten by me is mine; just as if a man should think, that because there is a triangle, it appears presently, without any further discourse, that its angles are equal to two right. Besides, since dominion, that is, supreme power is indivisible, insomuch as no man can serve two masters; but two persons, male and female, must concur in the act of generation; it is impossible that dominion should at all be acquired by generation only. Wherefore we will, with the more diligence, in this place inquire into the original of _paternal government_. [Sidenote: Dominion over infants belongs to him who first hath them in his power.] 2. We must therefore return to the state of nature, in which, by reason of the equality of nature, all men of riper years are to be accounted equal. There _by right of nature_ the conqueror is lord of the conquered. By the right therefore of _nature_, the dominion over the infant first belongs to him who first hath him in his power. But it is manifest that he who is newly born, is in the _mother’s_ power before any others; insomuch as she may rightly, and at her own will, either breed him up or adventure him to fortune. [Sidenote: Dominion over infants is originally the mother’s.]