Soc. It would seem, according to your argument, that the foes of a man's own household after all may be wealth to him, if he knows how to turn them to good account? (14)
(14) Vide supra.
Crit. That is my opinion, at any rate.
Soc. It would seem, it is the part of a good economist (15) to know how to deal with his own or his employer's foes so as to get profit out of them?
(15) "A good administrator of an estate."
Crit. Most emphatically so.
Soc. In fact, you need but use your eyes to see how many private persons, not to say crowned heads, do owe the increase of their estates to war.
Crit. Well, Socrates, I do not think, so far, the argument could be improved on; (16) but now comes a puzzle. What of people who have got the knowledge and the capital (17) required to enhance their fortunes, if only they will put their shoulders to the wheel; and yet, if we are to believe our senses, that is just the one thing they will not do, and so their knowledge and accomplishments are of no profit to them? Surely in their case also there is but one conclusion to be drawn, which is, that neither their knowledge nor their possessions are wealth.
(16) Or, "Thanks, Socrates. Thus far the statement of the case would
seem to be conclusive—but what are we to make of this? Some
people..."
(17) Lit. "the right kinds of knowledge and the right starting-points."
Soc. Ah! I see, Critobulus, you wish to direct the discussion to the topic of slaves?