Economics

And how, in heaven’s name, do you teach your man to be loyal to you and yours?By rewarding him, of course, whenever the gods bestow some good thing on us in abundance.

You mean, then, that those who enjoy a share of your good things are loyal to you and want you to prosper?Yes, Socrates, I find that is the best instrument for producing loyalty.

But, now, if he is loyal to you, Ischomachus, will that be enough to make him a competent bailiff? Don’t you see that though all men, practically, wish themselves well, yet there are many who won’t take the trouble to get for themselves the good things they want to have?

Well, when I want to make bailiffs of such men, of course I teach them also to be careful.Pray how do you do that?

I was under the impression that carefulness is a virtue that can’t possibly be taught.True, Socrates, it isn’t possible to teach everyone you come across to be careful.