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BLEPS. Nor yet, if one sleeps out, as one used to do? PRAX. No, for there will be enough and to spare for all. And even if a thief does try to strip a man, he will give up his cloak of his own accord. What would be the good of fighting? He has only to go and get another, and a better, from the public stores. BLEPS. And will there be no more gambling? PRAX. What will there be to play for?
Answer that if you can! BLEPS. Isn't it just the people who have all these things that are the greatest thieves? PRAX. No doubt, under the old laws. But now, when everything will be in common what will be the good of keeping anything back? BLEPS. Who will do the field work? PRAX. The slaves; all you will have to do is to dress and go out to dinner in the evening.
PRAX. That's just what I was going to tell you. First of all, everybody's money and land and anything else he may possess will be made common property. Then we shall maintain you all out of the common stock, with due regard to economy and thrift. BLEPS. But how about those who have no land, but only money that they can hide? PRAX. It will all go to the public purse.
BLEPS. And how about house accommodation? PRAX. That will be the same for all.
To keep anything back will be perjury. BLEPS. Perjury! Well, if you come to that, it was by perjury it was all acquired. PRAX. And then, money won't be the least use to any one. BLEPS. Why not? PRAX. Because nobody will be poor. Everybody will have everything he wants, bread, salt-fish, barley-cake, clothes, wine, garlands, chickpeas. So what will be the good of keeping anything back?
BLEPS. But what about the clothes? How are they to be provided? PRAX. What you have now will do to begin with, and afterwards we shall make them for you ourselves. BLEPS. Just one thing more! Supposing a man were to lose his suit in the courts, where are the damages to come from? It would not be fair to take the public funds. PRAX. But there won't be any lawsuits at all!
When fellows come to blows over their cups, where are the damages to come from? PRAX. From the rations! A man won't be in such a hurry to make a row when his belly has to pay for it. BLEPS. One thing more! Will there be no more thieves? PRAX. Why should any one steal what is his own? BLEPS. And won't one be robbed of one's cloak at night? PRAX. Not if you sleep at home!
BLEPS. That will mean ruin to a good many people! BYSTANDER. Just my idea! PRAX. Why should there be any? BLEPS. Why! for reasons enough, heaven knows! For instance, a man might repudiate his debts. PRAX. In that case, where did the man who lent the money get it from? Clearly, since everything is in common, he must have stolen it! BLEPS. So he must! An excellent idea! But now tell me this.
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