Economics puts faith in the willingness to pay method for measuring the price of wilderness. Yet in all things that really matter, what really is of value, knew Plutarch, is beyond measurement:
A citizen of ancient Rome sought to divorce his wife, and as a result was severely chastened by his friends, who asked: “Was she not chaste? Was she not fair?” The Roman held out one of his shoes. “Is it not well made?” he said. “Is it not also new?” And when they agreed that the shoe was both well made and new, the Roman replied: “Yet none of you can tell where it pinches me.”
For a brief biography of Plutarch, click here.
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