The centuries-old question

Of the men's primordial nature,

May be reduced to the following 'ifs.'

If you make for men a device

To measure their wares,

Even by means of that device,

Whether you like it or not,

You thus teach them to steal

From their neighbours;

If you make for them weights

And steelyards to weigh their goods,

Even by means of those tools

You teach them to steal from their buyers.

If you make for men tallies and seals

To secure their good faith,

Even by means of those things

You teach them to steal

From their counterparties;

If you make for them the fair system

Of punishment and pardon

In order to make their doings right,

Even by means of this you teach them

The way to steal from those

Who are in the lower regions. . .