This short piece shows, perhaps more clearly than any other, how much some of Leibniz' political views remained medieval, how much force the ideas of hierarchy and natural subordination still had for him. It relates Leibniz to some of his German predecessors – particularly Althusius – and makes clear the gap which separates him from, e.g. the great English theorists of the seventeenth century. (The present translation follows the German text to be found in Guhrauer's Deutsche Schriften.)

Justice is a social duty [Tugend], or a duty which preserves society.

A society [Gemeinschaft] is a union of different men for a common purpose.

A natural society is one which is demanded by nature [so die Natur haben will].

The signs by which one can conclude that nature demands something, are that nature has given us a desire and the powers or force to fulfill it: for nature does nothing in vain.

Above all, when the matter involves a necessity or a permanent [beständigen] utility: for nature everywhere achieves the best.

The most perfect society is that whose purpose is the general and supreme happiness [Glückseligkeit].

Natural law is that which preserves or promotes natural societies.

The first natural society is between man and wife, for it is necessary to preserve the human race.