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and fruitless employment； and tormented with the apprehensions of
want in their old age； since that which they get by their daily
labor does but maintain them at present； and is consumed as fast
as it comes in； there is no overplus left to lay up for old age。
Is not that government both unjust and ungrateful； that is so
prodigal of its favors to those that are called gentlemen； or
goldsmiths； or such others who are idle； or live either by
flattery； or by contriving the arts of vain pleasure； and on the
other hand； takes no care of those of a meaner sort； such as
ploughmen； colliers； and smiths； without whom it could not
subsist？ But after the public has reaped all the advantage of
their service； and they come to be oppressed with age； sickness；
and want； all their labors and the good they have done is
forgotten； and all the recompense given them is that they are left
to die in great misery。 The richer sort are often endeavoring to
bring the hire of laborers lower； not only by their fraudulent
practices； but by the laws which they procure to be made to that
effect； so that though it is a thing most unjust in itself； to
give such small rewards to those who deserve so well of the
public； yet they have given those hardships the name and color of
justice； by procuring laws to be made for regulating them。
Therefore I must say that； as I hope for mercy； I can have no
other notion of all the other governments that I see or know； than
that they are a conspiracy of the rich； who on pretence of
managing the public only pursue their private ends； and devise all
the ways and arts they can find out； first； that they may； without
danger； preserve all that they have so ill acquired； and then that
they may engage the poor to toil and labor for them at as low
rates as possible； and oppress them as much as they please。 And if
they can but prevail to get these contrivances established by the
show of public authority； which is considered as the
representative of the whole people； then they are accounted laws。
Yet these wicked men after they have； by a most insatiable
covetousness； divided that among themselves with which all the
rest might have been well supplied； are far from that happiness
that is enjoyed among the Utopians： for the use as well as the
desire of money being extinguished； much anxiety and great
occasions of mischief is cut off with it。 And who does not see
that the frauds； thefts； robberies； quarrels； tumults；
contentions； seditions； murders； treacheries； and witchcrafts；
which are indeed rather punished than restrained by the severities
of law； would all fall off； if money were not any more valued by
the world？ Men's fears； solicitudes； cares； labors； and watchings；
would all perish in the same moment with the value of money： even
poverty itself； for the relief of which money seems most
necessary； would fall。 But； in order to the apprehending this
aright； take one instance。
Consider any year that has been so unfruitful that many thousands
have died of hunger； and yet if at the end of that year a survey
was made of the granaries of all the rich men that have hoarded up
the corn； it would be found that there was enough among them to
have prevented all that consumption of men that perished in
misery； and that if it had been distributed among them； none would
have felt the terrible effects of that scarcity； so easy a thing
would it be to supply all the necessities of life； if that blessed
thing called money； which is pretended to be invented for
procuring them； was not really the only thing that obstructed
their being procured！
I do not doubt but rich men are sensible of this； and that they
well know how much a greater happiness it is to want nothing
necessary than to abound in many superfluities； and to be rescued
out of so much misery than to abound with so much wealth； and I
cannot think but the sense of every man's interest； added to the
authority of Christ's commands； who as He was infinitely wise；
knew what was best； and was not less good in discovering it to us；
would have drawn all the world over to the laws of the Utopians；
if pride； that plague of human nature； that source of so much
misery； did not hinder it； for this vice does not measure
happiness so much by its own conveniences as by the miseries of
others； and would not be satisfied with being thought a goddess；
if none were left that were miserable； over whom she might insult。
Pride thinks its own happiness shines the brighter by comparing it
with the misfortunes of other persons； that by displaying its own
wealth； they may feel their poverty the more sensibly。 This is
that infernal serpent that creeps into the breasts of mortals； and
possesses them too much to be easily drawn out； and therefore I am
glad that the Utopians have fallen upon this form of government；
in which I wish that all the world could be so wise as to imitate
them； for they have indeed laid down such a scheme and foundation
of policy； that as men live happily under it； so it is like to be
of great continuance； for they having rooted out of the minds of
their people all the seeds both of ambition and faction； there is
no danger of any commotion at home； which alone has been the ruin
of many States that seemed otherwise to be well secured； but as
long as they live in peace at home； and are governed by such good
laws； the envy of all their neighboring princes； who have often
though in vain attempted their ruin； will never be able to put
their State into any commotion or disorder。
When Raphael had thus made an end of speaking； though many things
occurred to me； both concerning the manners and laws of that
people； that seemed very absurd； as well in their way of making
war； as in their notions of religion and divine matters； together
with several other particulars； but chiefly what seemed the
foundation of all the rest； their living in common； without the
use of money； by which all nobility； magnificence； splendor； and
majesty； which； according to the common opinion； are the true
ornaments of a nation； would be quite taken away；yet since I