class in its consummate form.

During the predatory stage proper the distinction between the
leisure and the labouring class is in some degree a ceremonial
distinction only. The able bodied men jealously stand aloof from
whatever is in their apprehension, menial drudgery; but their
activity in fact contributes appreciably to the sustenance of the
group. The subsequent stage of quasi-peaceable industry is
usually characterised by an established chattel slavery, herds of
cattle, and a servile class of herdsmen and shepherds; industry
has advanced so far that the community is no longer dependent for
its livelihood on the chase or on any other form of activity that
can fairly be classed as exploit. From this point on, the
characteristic feature of leisure class life is a conspicuous
exemption from all useful employment.

The normal and characteristic occupations of the class in this
mature phase of its life history are in form very much the same
as in its earlier days. These occupations are government, war,
sports, and devout observances. Persons unduly given to difficult
theoretical niceties may hold that these occupations are still
incidentally and indirectly "productive"; but it is to be noted
as decisive of the question in hand that the ordinary and
ostensible motive of the leisure class in engaging in these
occupations is assuredly not an increase of wealth by productive
effort. At this as at any other cultural stage, government and
war are, at least in part, carried on for the pecuniary gain of
those who engage in them; but it is gain obtained by the
honourable method of seizure and conversion. These occupations
are of the nature of predatory, not of productive, employment.