Chapter IV

Locke defines natural liberty as freedom from any superior power on earth and from being subject to the arbitrary will of any man, with only the law of nature as one's rule.

Locke defines liberty in society as freedom to act within the bounds of laws enacted by the legislative power established by consent, not under the arbitrary will of another.

Locke rejects Filmer's definition of freedom as license to do whatever one wishes, arguing that true freedom means having a standing rule of law common to all, not being subject to arbitrary will.

Locke argues that freedom from absolute, arbitrary power is so essential to human preservation that a man cannot voluntarily surrender it, as he does not have power over his own life to give away.

Locke establishes that a man who has forfeited his life through capital crime may be enslaved by the conqueror, and the enslaved person retains the option to die rather than endure slavery.

Locke defines slavery as a continued state of war between a lawful conqueror and a captive, which ceases if a compact with limited power is agreed upon.

Locke argues that biblical accounts of men selling themselves were instances of limited servitude, not true slavery, since the master lacked absolute power to kill or even maim the servant without consequence.