16. Any law that should punish offences committed before its existence would be an arbitrary act. Retroactive effect given to the law is a crime.
17. The law should award only penalties strictly and evidently necessary to the general safety. Penalties should be proportioned to offences, and useful to society.
18. The right of property consists in every man's being master in the disposal, at his will, of his goods, capital, income, and industry.
19. No kind of labor, commerce, or culture, can be prohibited to any one: he may make, sell, and transport every species of production.
20. Every man may engage his services and his time; but he cannot sell himself; his person is not an alienable property.
21. No one can be deprived of the least portion of his property without his consent, unless evidently required by public necessity, legally determined, and under the condition of a just indemnity in advance.
22. No tax shall be imposed except for the general welfare, and to meet public needs. All citizens have the right to unite personally, or by their representatives, in the fixing of imposts.
23. Instruction is the need of all, and society owes it to all its members equally.
24. Public succours are a sacred debt of society; it is for the law to determine their extent and application.
25. The social guarantee of the rights of man rests on the national sovereignty.