I can imagine that they argued that a man's first duty was
to himself and his family, that one had a right to go into any legitimate
business, and that others must take care of themselves. The evil, if there
was any, they probably felt was incident to the nature of business and
could not be helped. I would like to ask how society could exist with any
other business rules."
As I closed it struck me that I had spoken pretty fast and without much
discretion, and the impression was not removed as Thorwald answered with
dignity:
"I am telling you the state of things on this planet thousands of years
ago, and it is a sufficient answer to your question to say that society at
the present day is not governed on any such principles; still, we seem to
exist. It was a favorite saying in those days that 'a man must live,' and
one that was used as an argument or excuse for questionable practices. The
premise was wrong; it was not necessary to live: death would have been far
better for the world and for the individual than a dishonorable life.
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