Meaning: This quote by Jonathan Mayhew, a prominent clergyman and political writer from the American colonial period, succinctly captures a key principle of political philosophy - the justification for the establishment of civil government and the basis for the citizens' acceptance of its authority. Mayhew's assertion that the "only reason" for civil government is the "common safety and utility" reflects a foundational belief in the primacy of the public good and the responsibility of government to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens.

In order to understand the significance of this quote, it is important to delve into the historical and intellectual context in which Mayhew was writing. During the 18th century, the Enlightenment period brought about a reevaluation of traditional political and social structures, leading to the development of new ideas about the nature of government and the rights of individuals. This era saw the emergence of political philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose works greatly influenced the thinking of Mayhew and other intellectuals of the time.

Central to the Enlightenment political thought was the concept of the social contract, which proposed that individuals voluntarily come together to form a society and establish a government for the purpose of securing their natural rights and promoting the common good. Mayhew's quote aligns with this idea by emphasizing that the institution of civil government is justified solely by its ability to ensure the "common safety and utility" of the people. In essence, Mayhew is asserting that the legitimacy of government is contingent upon its capacity to fulfill this fundamental purpose.

Moreover, Mayhew's emphasis on the "common safety and utility" as the "only rational ground of submission" to civil government reflects a belief in the reciprocal relationship between the state and its citizens. In this view, individuals consent to government authority in exchange for the protection and promotion of their collective well-being. This reciprocal obligation forms the basis of the social contract theory and underpins the legitimacy of governmental power.

Mayhew's quote also carries implications for the role and limits of governmental authority. By asserting that the common safety and utility are the sole justifications for civil government, he implicitly challenges any form of authoritarianism or arbitrary rule. Instead, Mayhew's statement suggests that the authority of government is contingent upon its ability to serve the interests of the people and advance their welfare. This aligns with the Enlightenment notion that legitimate political authority derives from the consent of the governed and is exercised for the benefit of the governed.

In summary, Jonathan Mayhew's quote encapsulates a fundamental principle of political philosophy, emphasizing the foundational importance of the common safety and utility as the rationale for the institution of civil government and the basis for citizens' acceptance of its authority. Rooted in the Enlightenment ideas of the social contract and the primacy of the public good, Mayhew's assertion continues to resonate as a timeless reminder of the essential purpose of government and the reciprocal relationship between the state and its citizens.