How we cite our quotes: Section.Part (if applicable).Paragraph
Quote #4
What is a man's property? Anything which it is lawful for him, and for him alone, to use. But what rule have we, by which we can distinguish these objects? Here we must have recourse to statutes, customs, precedents, analogies, and a hundred other circumstances; some of which are constant and inflexible, some variable and arbitrary. But the ultimate point [...] is the interest and happiness of human society. (III.II.14)
Property is something we take for granted, but philosophy is about exploring why things are the way they are. So, what about property? Well, this is something that the law recognizes as belonging to someone, and all kinds of bills, customs, and examples are used to back this up—some of which are rock solid, while others are temporary and changeable. The sheer number of rules and regulations can get confusing, but we always come back to what's good for society.
Quote #5
What need of positive law where natural justice is, of itself, a sufficient restraint? Why create magistrates, where there never arises any disorder or iniquity? Why abridge our native freedom, when, in every instance, the utmost exertion of it is found innocent and beneficial? It is evident, that, if government were totally useless, it never could have place, and that the sole foundation of the duty of allegiance is the advantage, which it procures to society, by preserving peace and order among mankind. (IV.I)
Here, Hume demonstrates the reasoning behind justice and the law. Some virtues are natural and, if that were the case with justice, then government wouldn't need to exist. The idea of freedom may be appealing but, in reality, there must be a need for some kind of order and regulation. If there weren't, these things wouldn't exist. So, why are they needed? Because, unlimited freedom would lead to disorder and inequality—Agent K had the right idea.
Quote #6
Among nations, where an immoral gallantry, if covered with a thin veil of mystery, is, in some degree, authorized by custom, there immediately arise a set of rules, calculated for the conveniency of that attachment. The famous court or parliament of love in Provence formerly decided all difficult cases of this nature. (IV.17)
In many nations, immoral behavior is either punished through the justice system (when a law has been broken) or criticized for the harm caused to society. But Hume points to settings where some kinds of behavior aren't automatically seen as vices and things get more tricky. These matters can't be decided in traditional courts, so alternatives such as courts of love have been set up to deal with these cases—kind of like an old-school Judge Judy.