The want of means to know the law totally excuseth. For the law whereof a man has no means to inform himself, is not obligatory. But the want of diligence to inquire shall not be considered as a want of means; nor shall any man, that pretendeth to reason enough for the government of his own affairs, be supposed to want means to know the laws of Nature; because they are known by the reason he pretends to: only children and madmen are excused from offences against the law natural.

Where a man is captive, or in the power of the enemy (and he is then in the power of the enemy when his person or his means of living is so), if it be without his own fault, the obligation of the law ceaseth; because he must obey the enemy or die; and consequently such obedience is no crime: for no man is obliged, when the protection of the law faileth, not to protect himself by the best means he can.