The Ideal State 285 



doubt that the State through its officials would be able 

 to guard its own commodities in the interests of all. 

 Moreover, this act would be a gross violation of that 

 ethical system which alone has made the existence of 

 the State possible, so that attempts of this nature are 

 almost inconceivable, and in any case must be very 

 rare. The dread and certainty of discovery would be a 

 deterrent of no mean force. In fact, a case of this kind 

 in such a community would be dealt with from the 

 point of view of mental aberration, and would entail 

 special treatment. 



Luxury has been stated to be bad for the individual 

 who succumbs to its attractions. It deteriorates the 

 body of man, and degeneration of soul invariably 

 accompanies that of body induced by such causes. 

 This was one of the main arguments against the 

 accumulation of wealth from the point of view of the 

 welfare of the individual. Its effect on the family was 

 also considered, in that the sons of men who had 

 accumulated wealth were tempted by the seductions of 

 alcohol and vice. But the subject deserves considera- 

 tion from another aspect. It is commonly believed 

 that it does not matter how money is spent ; that the 

 great point is the spending of it, as thereby it is circu- 

 lated and society as a whole eventually gets the benefit. 

 It must be evident, however, that money spent on the 

 racecourse in the form of gambling losses or in alcoholic 

 debauch not only injures the individual so indulging, 

 but injures others, in so far as it is being used for a 

 purpose damaging to society in fostering gambling and 

 helping a trade which, in most instances, is deleterious 

 to the members of the State. Moreover, the money so 

 misspent might have been devoted to the purchase of 

 commodities the manufacture of which deserves en- 

 couragement, to foster the general trade and prosperity 

 of the country, and in this way pass on to the workers 



