Part 4: On the Economic Virtues of the Merchant

Abstract

(f. 78) As we have now dealt with the material of our first three books in accordance with our design, we will follow them with a further discussion, in this fourth book, on the manner in which a merchant should conduct himself with regard to the economics and administration of his household and family . And this is no less worthy of a merchant’s attention than his public life , following the saying of Valerius Maximus : “Of what use is valour far from our country , if we live badly within it?” And likewise Aristotle held that the father in every house should be regarded as “king of his household ”, because just as a king must govern his realm, so the father of a family must govern and have care of that family. And no small care, because many, from neglect, have incurred great shame and contempt, so that it were better they had been killed. For the same reason, Ockham would have it that, just as a father should be governor of his family in spiritual matters, he should also discipline their behaviour. And if he does not do this he is worse than the infidels. Hence St Paul’ s saying (1 Timothy, 5) “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own family, he hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidel”; di. xlvii, Necesse est. , and the chapter Quantum libet. And on the same theme we learn from the Philosopher in Economicis: “It is incumbent on every living man both in private and in public to show a proper care towards all, to gods and to men, but particularly towards his wife , his children and his parents”.