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