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of work six days a week。 Supposing that a man cannot live on less
than a shilling a day； his seven shillings he must get； either
for three days' violent work； or six days' deliberate work。 The
tendency of all modern mercantile operations is to throw both
wages and trade into the form of a lottery； and to make the
workman's pay depend on intermittent exertion； and the
principal's profit on dexterously used chance。
In what partial degree； I repeat； this may be necessary in
consequence of the activities of modern trade； I do not here
investigate； contenting myself with the fact； that in its
fatalest aspects it is assuredly unnecessary； and results merely
from love of gambling on the part of the masters； and from
ignorance and sensuality in the men。 The masters cannot bear to
let any opportunity of gain escape them； and frantically rush at
every gap and breach in the walls of Fortune； raging to be rich；
and affronting； with impatient covetousness； every risk of ruin；
while the men prefer three days of violent labour； and three days
of drunkenness； to six days of moderate work and wise rest。 There
is no way in which a principal； who really desires to help his
workmen； may do it more effectually than by checking these
disorderly habits both in himself and them； keeping his own
business operations on a scale which will enable him to pursue
them securely； not yielding to temptations of precarious gain；
and； at the same time； leading his workmen into regular habits of
labour and life； either by inducing them rather to take low wages
in the form of a fixed salary； than high wages； subject to the
chance of their being thrown out of work； or； if this be
impossible； by discouraging the system of violent exertion for
nominally high day wages； and leading the men to take lower pay
for more regular labour。
In effecting any radical changes of this kind； doubtless
there would be great inconvenience and loss incurred by all the
originators of movement。 That which can be done with perfect
convenience and without loss； is not always the thing that most
needs to be done； or which we are most imperatively required to
do。
I have already alluded to the difference hitherto existing
between regiments of men associated for purposes of violence； and
for purposes of manufacture； in that the former appear capable of
self…sacrifice the latter； not； which singular fact is the
real reason of the general lowness of estimate in which the
profession of commerce is held； as compared with that of arms。
Philosophically； it does not； at first sight； appear reasonable
（many writers have endeavoured to prove it unreasonable） that a
peaceable and rational person； whose trade is buying and selling；
should be held in less honour than an unpeaceable and often
irrational person； whose trade is slaying。 Nevertheless； the
consent of mankind has always； in spite of the philosophers；
given precedence to the soldier。
And this is right。
For the soldier's trade； verily and essentially； is not
slaying； but being slain。 This； without well knowing its own
meaning； the world honours it for。 A bravo's trade is slaying；
but the world has never respected bravos more than merchants： the
reason it honours the soldier is； because he holds his life at
the service of the State。 Reckless he may be fond of pleasure
or of adventure…all kinds of bye…motives and mean impulses may
have determined the choice of his profession； and may affect （to
all appearance exclusively） his daily conduct in it； but our
estimate of him is based on this ultimate fact of which we are
well assured that put him in a fortress breach； with all the
pleasures of the world behind him； and only death and his duty in
front of him； he will keep his face to the front； and he knows
that his choice may be put to him at any moment and has
beforehand taken his part virtually takes such part
continually does； in reality； die daily。
Not less is the respect we pay to the lawyer and physician；
founded ultimately on their self…sacrifice。 Whatever the learning
or acuteness of a great lawyer； our chief respect for him depends
on our belief that； set in a judge's seat； he will strive to
judge justly； come of it what may。 Could we suppose that he would
take bribes； and use his acuteness and legal knowledge to give
plausibility to iniquitous decisions； no degree of intellect
would win for him our respect。 Nothing will win it； short of our
tacit conviction； that in all important acts of his life justice
is first with him； his own interest； second。
In the case of a physician； the ground of the honour we
render him is clearer still。 Whatever his science； we would
shrink from him in horror if we found him regard his patients
merely as subjects to experiment upon； much more； if we found
that； receiving bribes from persons interested in their deaths；
he was using his best skill to give poison in the mask of
medicine。
Finally； the principle holds with utmost clearness as it
respects clergymen。 No goodness of disposition will excuse want
of science in a physician； or of shrewdness in an advocate； but a
clergyman； even though his power of intellect be small； is
respected on the presumed ground of his unselfishness and
serviceableness。
Now； there can be no question but that the tact； foresight；
decision； and other mental powers； required for the successful
management of a large mercantile concern； if not such as could be
compared with those of a great lawyer； general； or divine； would
at least match the general conditions of mind required in the
subordinate officers of a ship； or of a regiment； or in the
curate of a country parish。 If； therefore； all the efficient
members of the so…called liberal professions are still； somehow；
in public estimate of honour； preferred before the head of a
commercial firm； the reason must lie deeper than in the
measurement of their several powers of mind。
And the essential reason for such preference will he found to
lie in the fact that the merchant is presumed to act always
selfishly。 His work may be very necessary to the community。 but
the motive of it is understood to be wholly personal。 The
merchant's first object in all his dealings must be （the public
believe） to get as much for himself； and leave as little to his
neighbour （or customer） as possible。 Enforcing this upon him； by
political statute； as the necessary principle of his action；
recommending it to him on all occasions； and themselves
reciprocally adopting it