SOCRATES—We are agreed, then, that no man has any right inherent in himself to the ownership of land.
PHAEDO—Certainly, we agree to that. Such a thing is absurd, for the earth is a gift to the human race, and not to particular men.
SOCRATES—I am glad that you think so, and am sure we shall continue to agree. And if no one man has any right to exclusive ownership of land, neither have any two men, since it is plain that neither could convey to himself and another any right which he did not possess, nor could two men together by any means get lawful title to what neither was entitled to hold.
PHAEDO—You are doubtless right, Socrates. I do not think any man could dispute that.
SOCRATES—And if neither one man nor two men can acquire lawful title to land, neither for the same reason could any number, no matter how great, acquire lawful title.
PHAEDO—That certainly follows from what we have already agreed to.
SOCRATES—And it makes no difference how small or how great a portion of land may be. No man and no number of men can acquire lawful ownership of it.
PHAEDO—That is also so plainly true that it seems hardly worth while to say it. It certainly makes no difference whether the land be a square furlong or a continent.
SOCRATES—As you say, Phaedo, that is very evident. The earth belongs to mankind, and all men are by nature sharers in its benefits.
PHAEDO—I trust that you will understand that I agree with you in that, and so make an end of it.