for a
thousand
reasons, on my faith!
Aristophanes
PRAXAGORA. You will first wear out those you have, and then we women will
weave you others.
BLEPYRUS. Now another point: if the magistrates condemn a citizen to the
payment of a fine, how is he going to do it? Out of the public funds?
That would not be right surely.
PRAXAGORA. But there will be no more lawsuits.
BLEPYRUS. What a disaster for many people!
PRAXAGORA. I have decreed it. Besides, friend, why should there be
lawsuits?
BLEPYRUS. Oh!
for a thousand reasons, on my faith! Firstly, because a
debtor denies his obligation.
PRAXAGORA. But where will the lender get the money to lend, if all is in
common? unless he steals it out of the treasury?
BLEPYRUS. That's true, by Demeter! But then again, tell me this; here are
some men who are returning from a feast and are drunk and they strike
some passer-by; how are they going to pay the fine? Ah! you are puzzled
now!
PRAXAGORA. They will have to take it out of their pittance; and being
thus punished through their belly, they will not care to begin again.
BLEPYRUS. There will be no more thieves then, eh?
PRAXAGORA. Why steal, if you have a share of everything?
