republic (books 1 - 5)   

to those who desire to sell, and to take money from those who
desire to buy.

This want, then, creates a class of retail-traders in our State.
Is not "retailer" the term which is applied to those who sit in
the market-place engaged in buying and selling, while those
who wander from one city to another are called merchants?

Yes, he said.

And there is another class of servants, who are intellectually
hardly on the level of companionship; still they have plenty of
bodily strength for labor, which accordingly they sell, and are
called, if I do not mistake, hirelings, "hire" being the name
which is given to the price of their labor.

True.

Then hirelings will help to make up our population?

Yes.

And now, Adeimantus, is our State matured and perfected?

I think so.

Where, then, is justice, and where is injustice, and in what
part of the State did they spring up?

Probably in the dealings of these citizens with one another.
I cannot imagine that they are more likely to be found any-
where else.

I dare say that you are right in your suggestion, I said; we
had better think the matter out, and not shrink from the
inquiry.

Let us then consider, first of all, what will be their way of
life, now that we have thus established them. Will they not
produce corn and wine and clothes and shoes, and build houses
for themselves? And when they are housed, they will work,
in summer, commonly, stripped and barefoot, but in winter
substantially clothed and shod. They will feed on barley-meal
and flour of wheat, baking and kneading them, making noble
cakes and loaves; these they will serve up on a mat of reeds
or on clean leaves, themselves reclining the while upon beds
strewn with yew or myrtle. And they and their children will
feast, drinking of the wine which they have made, wearing
garlands on their heads, and hymning the praises of the gods,
in happy converse with one another. And they will take care
that their families do not exceed their means; having an eye
to poverty or war.

But, said Glaucon, interposing, you have not given them
a relish to their meal.

True, I replied, I had forgotten; of course they must have
a relish--salt and olives and cheese--and they will boil roots
and herbs such as country people prepare; for a dessert we
shall give them figs and peas and beans; and they will roast
myrtle-berries and acorns at the fire, drinking in moderation.
And with such a diet they may be expected to live in peace and
health to a good old age, and bequeath a similar life to their
children after them.