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Notable Quote

"Private ownership of goods is not contrary to natural law, but was introduced by human reason for the utility of human life. For natural law does not forbid private possession; rather, it requires that what is acquired by legitimate means be respected as belonging to its possessor."

— Soto, Domingo de event 1553

From De Iustitia et Iure (On Justice and Law)

Context: On the natural law foundation of private property. De Iustitia et Iure (1553). Soto defends private property as consistent with — and indeed required by — the demands of human reason and natural law.

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