3.2
And what if I show you next the companion to this—that some possess many costly belongings and cannot use them at need, and do not even know whether they are safe and sound, and so are continually worried themselves and worrying their servants, whereas others, though they possess not more, but even less, have whatever they want ready for use? What is the reason of this, then, Socrates?
3.3
Is it not simply this, that the former stow their things away anywhere and the latter have everything neatly arranged in some place? Yes, of course, arranged carefully in the proper place, not just anywhere. Your point, I take it, is that this too is an element in estate management.
3.4
Then what if I show you besides that in some households nearly all the servants are in fetters and yet continually try to run away, whereas in others they are under no restraint and are willing to work and to stay at their posts? Won’t you think that here too I am pointing out to you a notable effect of estate management? Yes, of course; very much so.
3.5
And that when men farm the same kind of land, some are poverty-stricken and declare that they are ruined by farming, and others do well with the farm and have all they want in abundance? Yes, of course; for maybe some spend money not on necessary purposes only but on what brings harm to the owner and the estate. Perhaps there are such people.
3.6
But I am referring rather to those who haven’t the money to meet even the necessary expenses, though professing to be farmers. Now what can be the reason of that, Socrates? I will take you to these too; and when you watch them, you will find out, I fancy. Of course; that is, if I can.
