Property, born of the sovereignty of the reason, and the sense of personal merit, wishes above all things INDEPENDENCE and PROPORTIONALITY.
But communism, mistaking uniformity for law, and levelism for equality, becomes tyrannical and unjust.

Property, by its despotism and encroachments, soon proves itself oppressive and anti-social.
The objects of communism and property are good--their results are bad.
And why?
Because both are exclusive, and each disregards two elements of society.

Communism rejects independence and proportionality; property does not satisfy equality and law.
Now, if we imagine a society based upon these four principles,--equality, law, independence, and proportionality,--we find:-- 1.

That EQUALITY, consisting only in EQUALITY OF CONDITIONS, that is, OF MEANS, and not in EQUALITY OF COMFORT,--which it is the business of the laborers to achieve for themselves, when provided with equal means,--in no way violates justice and equite.
2.

That LAW, resulting from the knowledge of facts, and consequently based upon necessity itself, never clashes with independence.
3.