“And if I were to give away what I have found for little or nothing, it is you who would profit by it. Besides, if this diamond possesses great value, it is not because nature has been elaborating it since the beginning of time: she does as much for a drop of dew.” “Yes; but if diamonds were as common as dew-drops, you could no longer lay down the law to me, and make your own conditions.” “Very true; because, in that case, you would not address yourself to me, or would not be disposed to recompense me highly for a ‹service› which you could easily perform for yourself.” The result of this dialogue is, that Value no more resides in the diamond than in the air or in the water. It resides exclusively in the ‹services› which we suppose to be rendered and received with reference to these things, and is determined by the free bargaining of the parties who make the exchange. Take up the ‹Collection des Économistes›, and read and compare all the definitions which you will find there. If there be one of them which meets the cases of the air and the diamond, two cases in appearance so opposite, throw this book into the fire. But if the definition which I propose, simple as it is, solves, or rather obviates, the difficulty, you are bound in conscience, gentle reader, to go on to the end of the work, or it is in vain that we have placed an inviting sign-board over the vestibule of the science. Allow me to give some more examples, in order to elucidate clearly my thoughts, and familiarize the reader with a new definition. By exhibiting this fundamental principle in different aspects, [p142] we shall clear the way for a thorough comprehension of the consequences, which I venture to predict will be found no less important than unexpected. Among the wants to which our physical constitution subjects us is that of food; and one of the articles best fitted to satisfy that want is Bread. As the need of food is personal to me, I should, naturally, myself perform all the operations necessary to provide the needful supply of bread. I can the less expect my fellow-men to render me gratuitously this service, that they are themselves subject to the same want, and condemned to the same exertion.