[151]
But the professions in which either a higher1
degree of intelligence is required or from which no
small benefit to society is derived—medicine and
architecture, for example, and teaching—these are
proper for those whose social position they become.
Trade, if it is on a small scale, is to be considered
vulgar; but if wholesale and on a large scale, importing large quantities from all parts of the world
and distributing to many without misrepresentation,
it is not to be greatly disparaged. Nay, it even
seems to deserve the highest respect, if those who
are engaged in it, satiated, or rather, I should say,
satisfied with the fortunes they have made, make
their way from the port to a country estate, as they
have often made it from the sea into port. But of
all the occupations by which gain is secured, none
is better than agriculture, none more profitable,
none more delightful, none more becoming to a
freeman. But since I have discussed this quite
fully in, my Cato Major, you will find there the
material that applies to this point.
1 (2) liberal.
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