I
I once heard him (2) discuss the topic of economy (3) after the following manner. Addressing Critobulus, (4) he said: Tell me, Critobulus, is "economy, " like the words "medicine, " "carpentry, " "building, " "smithying, " "metal-working, " and so forth, the name of a particular kind of knowledge or science?
(1) By "economist" we now generally understand "political economist, "
but the use of the word as referring to domestic economy, the
subject matter of the treatise, would seem to be legitimate.
(2) "The master."
(3) Lit. "the management of a household and estate." See Plat. "Rep."
407 B; Aristot. "Eth. N." v. 6; "Pol." i. 3.
(4) See "Mem." I. iii. 8; "Symp." p. 292.
Crit. Yes, I think so.
Soc. And as, in the case of the arts just named, we can state the proper work or function of each, can we (similarly) state the proper work and function of economy?
Crit. It must, I should think, be the business of the good economist (5) at any rate to manage his own house or estate well.
(5) Or, "manager of a house or estate."
Soc. And supposing another man's house to be entrusted to him, he would be able, if he chose, to manage it as skilfully as his own, would he not? since a man who is skilled in carpentry can work as well for another as for himself: and this ought to be equally true of the good economist?
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