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.

SOCRATES - It is perhaps best that we be very sure that we agree as we
go on, so that if we should at any time disagree, we do not need to go
far back to find where our difference began. The earth is the property
of men in common, and each has an undivided share in its possession.

PHAEDO - That is another thing too plain to be disputed.

SOCRATES - And when men hold property in common, each has as much right
to all parts of it as another.

PHAEDO - To be sure. I do not see why we need waste time in mentioning