_It should be the Duty of Magistrates, to oblige every individual in a
state to earn his own living._
LXX. This was one of the laws of the most prudent Solon; and it was
so inviolably observed in Athens, that Athenæus tells us, the two
philosophers Asclepiades and Menedemus, were convened before the
Areopagus, to give an account how they got their living; and they
obviated the charge that had been brought against them, of leading an
idle life, and having no visible means of subsistence; by proving, that
they earned two drachmas every night, by grinding in, or turning a
horse-mill; and Herodotus says, that before the days of Solon, this same
law had been established in Egypt by King Amasis.
LXXI. There is no doubt, but the same establishment would be useful
in all states. Why do I say useful? It would be laudable also, and of
the utmost importance. By a careful examination into, and attention
to this matter, communities would be freed from the nuisance of great
numbers of drones, and poisonous reptiles. There is scarce a populous
town or city, where you don’t see great numbers of people, who without
any estate or income, and without employing themselves in any honest or
useful occupation, live well in their houses, and appear genteelly and
handsomely dressed in the streets. And what are the funds by which they
support all this? why some of them support themselves, by thefts and
robberies; others by the vile practice, of prostituting the beauty of
their wives for hire; others by money they borrow of a thousand people,
without any intention of ever paying it; others by tricks and cheats of
various kinds, with which they impose upon innocent and unguarded people;
and indeed, if the mask was to be taken off from all those who are said
to live by their ingenuity, it would be found, that almost all of them,
live by foul practices and roguery; and the mask would be taken off, by
adopting the before proposed examination and enquiry, and by providing,
and rigorously executing punishments proportioned to such evils, the body
politic, would be purged and cleansed from an infinite number of vicious
humours.