Pagina 696 de 734

[18] The Shoemaker would get a house while the Builder only had

(say) one pair of shoes, or at all events not so many as he ought

to have. Thus the man producing the least valuable ware would get

the most valuable, and vice versa.

Adopting, as I have done, the reading which omits [Greek:--] at

[Greek:--], we have simply a repetition of the caution, that

before Reciprocation is attempted, there must be the same ratio

between the wares as between the persons, i.e. the ratio of

equality.

If we admit [Greek: ou], the meaning may be, that you must not

bring into the proportion the difference mentioned above [Greek:

eteron kai ouk ison], since for the purposes of commerce all men

are equal.

Say that the Builder is to the Shoemaker as 10:1. Then there must

be the same ratio between the wares, consequently the highest

artist will carry off the most valuable wares, thus combining in

himself both [Greek: uperochai]. The following are the three

cases, given 100 pr. shoes = 1 house.