A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Agriculture 405
it
To obtain wealth by trade has various advantages, were
Scientific
not so precarious; and Hke^\-ise lending money at interest,
were it more consistent with honor. Such was the A^grlcidture.
opinion entertained by our ancestors, and such are the P^q'^e'^h
regulations prescribed in their statutes that the fine of the Oliver,
thief should be twofold, but fourfold that of the usurer.
How much less excellent a citizen they deemed the money-
Agriculture
lender than the thief can be estimated from this considera- honorable
tion. And when they paid their eulogies to a good man, thanmoneythev
praised him as a good agriculturist, a good husband- ,
man. He was considered to receive the highest '&' meed of
- ^ ...
praise who thus was praised.
lb.
Now a trader I consider to
be energetic and zealous in making gain, but as I have
before stated, his occupation is not exempt from risk and
misfortune. But it is from the agriculturists that are
produced both the most stalwart men and the most unflinching
soldiers; from their toil results gain the most
consistent with religion, the least susceptible to shock, and
the least likely to excite prejudice; and those engaged in
this pursuit are least given to entertaining thoughts of ill.
Now to return to the subject in hand, this beginning which
I have promised will be made.
When you think to provide an estate, be determined not
to buy rashly, nor through any fault of yours, to grudge
inspection, nor to rest satisfied with merely walking around
it once. With each succeeding visit a good farm will
cause increased satisfaction. Note this well, the prosperity
of the neighbors; if the locality be good, their welfare
of necessity will be well marked. And see that you enter
into the farm and examine thoroughly how you may have
some exit therefrom.
See that the climate it possesses is
a good one, that this may not prove your bane. Let its
soil be good with a value of its own. If it is within your
preface,
The choice
lb.