The Abolition of Man

(a) Sexual Justice

‘Has he approached his neighbour’s wife?’ (Babylonian. List of Sins. ERE v. 446.)

‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ (Ancient Jewish. Exodus xx. 14.)

‘I saw in Nástrond (= Hell) . . . beguilers of others’ wives.’ (Old Norse. Volospá 38, 39.)

(b) Honesty

‘Has he drawn false boundaries?’ (Babylonian. List of Sins. ERE v. 446.)

‘To wrong, to rob, to cause to be robbed.’ (Babylonian. Ibid.)

‘I have not stolen.’ (Ancient Egyptian. Confession of Righteous Soul. ERE v. 478.)

‘Thou shalt not steal.’ (Ancient Jewish. Exodus xx. 15.)

‘Choose loss rather than shameful gains.’ (Greek. Chilon Fr. 10. Diels.)

‘Justice is the settled and permanent intention of rendering to each man his rights.’ (Roman. Justinian, Institutions, I. i.)

‘If the native made a “find” of any kind (e.g. a honey tree) and marked it, it was thereafter safe for him, as far as his own tribesmen were concerned, no matter how long he left it.’ (Australian Aborigines. ERE v. 441.)

‘The first point of justice is that none should do any mischief to another unless he has first been attacked by the other’s wrongdoing. The second is that a man should treat common property as common property, and private property as his own. There is no such thing as private property by nature, but things have become private either through prior occupation (as when men of old came into empty territory) or by conquest, or law, or agreement, or stipulation, or casting lots.’ (Roman. Cicero, De Off. I. vii.)

(c) Justice in Court, &c.

‘Whoso takes no bribe . . . well pleasing is this to Samaš.’ (Babylonian. ERE v. 445.)

‘I have not traduced the slave to him who is set over him.’ (Ancient Egyptian. Confession of Righteous Soul. ERE v. 478.)

‘Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.’ (Ancient Jewish. Exodus xx. 16.)

‘Regard him whom thou knowest like him whom thou knowest not.’ (Ancient Egyptian. ERE v. 482.)

‘Do no unrighteousness in judgement. You must not consider the fact that one party is poor nor the fact that the other is a great man.’ (Ancient Jewish. Leviticus xix. 15.)