[Sidenote: Laws whereby gaining arts are cherished and great expenses restrained, do conduce much to the enriching of the subject.] 14. There are two things necessary to the enriching of the subjects, _labour_ and _thrift_; there is also a third which helps, to wit, the _natural increase of the earth and water_; and there is a fourth too, namely, _the militia_, which sometimes augments, but more frequently lessens the subjects’ stock. The two first only are necessary. For a city constituted in an island of the sea, no greater than will serve for dwelling, may grow rich without sowing or fishing, by merchandize and handicrafts only; but there is no doubt, if they have a territory, that they may be richer with the same number, or equally rich being a greater number. But the fourth, namely, _the militia_, was of old reckoned in the number of the gaining arts, under the notion of _booting_ or _taking prey_; and it was by mankind, dispersed by families before the constitution of civil societies, accounted just and honourable. For preying is nothing else but a war waged with small forces. And great commonweals, namely, that of Rome and Athens, by the spoils of war, foreign tribute, and the territories they have purchased by their arms, have sometimes so improved the commonwealth, that they have not only not required any public monies from the poorer sort of subjects, but have also divided to each of them both monies and lands. But this kind of increase of riches is not to be brought into rule and fashion. For the militia, in order to profit, is like a die; wherewith many lose their estates, but few improve them. Since therefore there are three things only, _the fruits of the earth and water_, _labour_, and _thrift_, which are expedient for the enriching of subjects, the duty of commanders in chief shall be conversant only about those three. For the first those laws will be useful, which countenance the arts that improve the increase of the earth and water; such as are _husbandry_ and _fishing_. For the second all laws against idleness, and such as quicken industry, are profitable; as such whereby the _art of navigation_, by help whereof the commodities of the whole world, bought almost by labour only, are brought into one city; and the _mechanics_, under which I comprehend all the arts of the most excellent workmen; and the _mathematical sciences_, the fountains of navigatory and mechanic employments, are held in due esteem and honour. For the third those laws are useful, whereby all inordinate expense, as well in meats as in clothes, and universally in all things which are consumed with usage, is forbidden. Now because such laws are beneficial to the ends above specified, it belongs also to the office of supreme magistrates to establish them. [Sidenote: That more ought not to be determined by the laws, than the benefit of prince and subjects require.]