Strona 278 z 734

Now the acts of mutual giving in due proportion may be

represented by the diameters of a parallelogram, at the four

angles of which the parties and their wares are so placed that

the side connecting the parties be opposite to that connecting

the wares, and each party be connected by one side with his own

ware, as in the accompanying diagram.

The builder is to receive from the shoemaker of his ware, and to

give him of his own: if then there be first proportionate

equality, and then the Reciprocation takes place, there will be

the just result which we are speaking of: if not, there is not

the equal, nor will the connection stand: for there is no reason

why the ware of the one may not be better than that of the other,

and therefore before the exchange is made they must have been

equalised. And this is so also in the other arts: for they would

have been destroyed entirely if there were not a correspondence

in point of quantity and quality between the producer and the

consumer. For, we must remember, no dealing arises between two of

the same kind, two physicians, for instance; but say between a

physician and agriculturist, or, to state it generally, between

those who are different and not equal, but these of course must

have been equalised before the exchange can take place.