But, you will ask, in what does this general will reside? Where can I consult it? [...] answer is: In the principles of prescribed law of all civilized nations, in the social practices of savage and barbarous peoples; in the tacit agreements obtaining amongst the enemies of mankind; and even in those two emotions — indignation and resentment — which nature has extended as far as animals to compensate for social laws and public retributions. --Denis Diderot, “"Droit Naturel"” article in the "Encyclopédie".