=46. The price in selling.=--If we adhere to the principles of political economy, the price in selling is entirely free: it depends exclusively upon the agreement between the vender and the buyer, and as it is said, on the relation between the supply and demand. Nothing more unjust than the intervention of the law in commercial relations. If the buyer buys at such or such a price, however high, it is that he still finds it to his interest to buy even at that rate. If the vender sells at such or such a price, however low, it is that he cannot get more, and that it suits him rather to sell at that price than keep the thing. It is then certain that the value of things being wholly relative, it is impossible to determine in an absolute manner what may be called the just price; for that depends on the frequency and rarity of the thing, on the market, on the wishes of the buyer, and the thousand continually varying circumstances. In short, the sale taking place when one wishing to sell and one wishing to buy, meet each other, it seems that their accord is a proof that the two interested parties have come to an understanding. There would, according to that, never be any unjust sale or purchase. We must consequently consider the definition of commerce given by the socialist, Ch. Fourier: "Commerce is the art of buying for three cents what is worth six, and selling for six what is worth three," not only as satirical and hyperbolical, but also as unjust and anti-scientific; for we cannot say whether a thing is in itself absolutely worth six cents or three cents. Does it follow, however, that there can never be any injustice in sale or purchase? If there is no _absolute_ price, there is a _medium_ price resulting from the state of the market. Now, the buyer may not know this medium price; and it is an injustice on the part of the seller to take advantage of this ignorance to sell above that. The same in the case of the vender's not knowing the price of the thing he has for sale, which the buyer appropriates, paying for it below its real value. Besides, whilst admitting that the prices are free, and that the law cannot intervene between vender and buyer, it is, however, necessary to admit that there is a certain _moderation_ beyond which injustice begins, if not in a _legal_, at least in a _moral_ point of view. But it is for particular circumstances to determine this limit; and there is no general rule for it. It is a case where not strict justice, but _equity_ is just. =47. Violation of the property of others.=--_Theft._--In general, every kind of violation of property under one form or another, is called _theft_, and this action is condemned by morality. It is expressed by that ancient commandment: _Thou shalt not steal_.