The Humblest Artisan Praised

ByMark Vallen

“There is nothing more contemptible than an idle citizen who can combine his laziness with wealth and, consequently, with honors. The humblest artisan, is more worthy of appreciation and, I think, of real honor, than the most illustrious, the most honored, and the richest gentleman if he is at the same time lazy and useless.”

[ From an essay printed in El Censor, a late 18th century dissident journal published in Madrid, Spain, at the time of the Spanish Inquisition. ]

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