Politics

​And I speak of the matters concerning property, whether, even if those things are separate, in the manner that is now the case for everyone, it is better for properties and their uses to be common; for instance, should the plots of land be separate, but bringing the crops into the common stock, they consume them (as some of the nations do), or on the contrary, should the land be common and they cultivate it in common, but the crops be divided for private uses (and some of the barbarians are said to share in this manner), or should both the plots of land and the crops be common? Now, if the cultivators were others, there would be another and easier way, but if they themselves labor for themselves on the matters of property, it would present more difficulties. For indeed, in both enjoyments and labors, when equal shares do not occur but unequal ones do, accusations must inevitably arise on the part of those who receive less but labor more, against those who enjoy or take much but labor little. And as a whole, to live together and to share in all human matters is difficult, and especially in such things as these. This is shown by the associations of fellow travelers; for almost the majority of them quarrel over things at hand and from small things strike against one another. Furthermore, we strike most against those of the servants whom we employ most for our everyday services. That properties should be common, therefore, has these and other such difficulties; but the manner that is now the case, if adorned by customs and the order of correct laws, would differ not a little. For it will have the good of both; and I mean by “the good of both” that which comes from properties being common and that which comes from them being private. For properties ought to be common in some way, but as a whole private. For cares, being divided, will not cause accusations against one another, but rather they will increase as each attends to his own; and through virtue there will be, for the purpose of use, according to the proverb, “the things of friends are common.” And indeed even now in some cities this is outlined in this way, as not being impossible, and especially in those that are well governed, some parts exist and others might come to be; for each having his property private, makes some things useful to his friends, and uses others in common, just as also in Lacedaemon they use one another’s slaves as, so to speak, their own, and furthermore horses and dogs, and if they need provisions in the fields throughout the territory. It is clear, then, that it is better for properties to be private, but to make them common in use; but how they are to become such, this is the proper work of the legislator. Furthermore, even for pleasure, it makes an unspeakable difference to think of something as one’s own.