On the record
He had seen that LEISURE is the great need of early societies, and slaves only can give men leisure.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “He had seen that LEISURE is the great need of early societies, and slaves only can give men leisure.”
Editor's note · Context
Bagehot emphasizes the importance of leisure in early societies, which he argues could only be provided by slaves.
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More from Walter Bagehot
But it is natural also that persons used to analyse political institutions should look at these anomalies with a little tenderness and a little interest.
At last it strikes you that they grew up, house by house, on the devious tracks of the old green lanes; and if you follow on to the existing fields, you may often find the change half complete.
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
Political philosophy is still more imperfect; it has been framed from observations taken upon regular specimens of politics and States; as to these its teaching is most valuable.
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