Unto This Last, and Other Essays on Political EconomyRuskin, John
General
Unto This Last, and Other Essays on Political Economy
Ruskin, John
Art; Economics
"And in the midst of it is a cave which is turned the way of
hell. And therein dwells Scylla, whining for prey: her cry,
indeed, is no louder than that of a newly-born whelp: but
she herself is an awful thing--nor can any creature see her
face and be glad; no, though it were a god that rose against
her. For she has twelve feet, all fore-feet, and six necks,
and terrible heads on them; and each has three rows of
teeth, full of black death.
"But the opposite rock is lower than this, though but a
bow-shot distant; and upon it there is a great fig-tree,
full of leaves; and under it the terrible Charybdis sucks it
down, and thrice casts it up again; be not thou there when
she sucks down, for Neptune himself could not save thee."
The reader will find the meaning of these types gradually
elicited as we proceed.
This disease of desire having especial relation to the great art of
Exchange, or Commerce, we must, in order to complete our code of first
principles, shortly state the nature and limits of that art.
As the currency conveys right of choice out of many things in exchange
for one, so Commerce is the agency by which the power of choice is
obtained; and countries producing only timber can obtain for their
timber silk and gold; or, naturally producing only jewels and
frankincense, can obtain for them cattle and corn. In this function
commerce is of more importance to a country in proportion to the
limitations of its products and the restlessness of its
fancy;--generally of greater importance towards Northern latitudes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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