Trader’s dignity and calling

Chapter I T rader’ s dignity and calling Dignity and calling of the trader should be regarded with admiration in all aspects, due to four reasons. First, because of the common good, as it is something so honorable that it is worth dying for. Many highly esteemed men were willing to choose to die for the common good. T o a considerableextent, the usefulness, benefit and salvation of a country are dependent on the trader. The trader is not a rudeand common seller, but rather an honorable professional, as it has been referred to in this work, dedicated to the trader’s vocation and persona. This influence is such due to the nature and purpose of tradingand business conduct in that respect. Profit made from trading is used to supply many poor countrieswith food and ammunition, in addition to many rare commodities delivered from regions where there areshortages. T rading generates money, precious stones, gold, silver and other metals. Consequently, artisansof all trades are thriving. T ownships and the authorities are putting effort into farming, cattle raisingand sustaining adequate yields and incomes. T raders also help the poor find employment. Estate managersalso enjoy a similar benefit by being given estates on lease. Customs services and tollhouses arethriving because of the import and export of goods, not to mention the state and counties’ budgets. Second, trade as a dignified profession is to be highly regarded because of the beneficial and honorablemanagement of assets

and personal possessions. A reasonable, moderate, solid and righteoustrader will continually increase and amass his wealth. Hence, we can witness traders who acquire substantialreal estate and movable property and furniture, their families are all well dressed and their family ties are becoming more meritorious by marrying their children into other noble families. The trader builds a more enviablereputation by living in rich and glamorous surroundings, in a decent and well-furnished home, andby running a continually thriving business that generates profit. The circumstances are usually just the oppositefor those who are not engaged in this reputable business. Hence the frayed, old saying: “T roubled is thehouse where trade is not the trade, ” because no matter how high the income of the owner and noblemendwelling there, it amounts to less than it would if it were in the hands of a trader, for, unlike them, hisprofit is yielded by trading. This is not merely a matter of farming, but also of harvest and the yield thatmust be sold at the right time. Nevertheless, these men are forced to sell real estate and deprive themselves of some thingswhen the time comes for their sons’ and daughters’ marriage. After they pass away, he who was not engagedin trading and was not adept at turning over his capital and acquiring realties, thus cannot affordto divide his property among his children in the way his father did. Thus, there is nothing he can doother than accordingly divide his estate among his children. Even if his children do not come upon theparish, his grandchildren great-grandchildren surely will and the estate will continually deteriorate. As thetrader raises his social standing and that of his children by marrying them off well, a poor noblemanwill suffer

degradation in that respect because of his financial impotence. Third, the trader’s reputation is to be highly regarded in connection with his circle of acquaintances, in both private and public life. The trader’s abode constitutes his private circle and a place where he deals with honest people working as his house staff. It is impossible to think that in a house where there is silverware, gold, money and other valuable items that there also live rascals, evil men, servants of every kind, thieves, outlawsand gamblers. Servants ofsuch background are usually employed in the houses of princes, noblemen and lords whom the obligation to hire such people is imposed on. Outside this circle,traders engage in interactions with artisans, noblemen, gentlemen, princes and the most highly esteemedmen of all classes. They are all acquainted with the trader because they need him, not to mentionthe great minds that also call on him. They need traders to support and endorse their projects, which is somethingtraders are very accomplished at. Furthermore, they are known to offer very good and useful advice.The fact is there has never been a field, experts in which had better insight into affairs of state and monarchy – in terms of finance, dependent on which are all social classes – than trade is and skilled and experienced traders. Fourth, the trader is as dignified as he is honest, and he enjoys the trust of the people around himbecause a good trader pays his debts and dutifully takes care of pledges.It is common knowledge nowadays that only traders and soldiers can be trusted. Of all people, regardlessof class, the word of the trader is the most valued one and no king, prince or any other people enjoy such trust.

Therefore, one can certainly rely on a promise given by a trader, which is not so easy with the others who will always attempt to benefit from you more than they should. A clear and simple“arbaran” is valid regardless of whether witnesses are present or not, whereas gentlemen and others donot enjoy such trust without extra precautions being undertaken and a statement signed by a notary public.Because of these reasons, the trader can surely be appreciative of the enviable reputation he earned. T o maintain his dignified position, it is essential that he eliminates each physical or spiritual flaw he might have. He must not be as haughty in posture as a strong warrior must,nor as meek as that of a foolish jester. His speech and his gait must be dignified and all his acts and deedsshould ooze this quality as much as possible. If he should naturally be endowed with a proportional andwell-built physique, this is a considerable benefit. T o conclude, in order to retain his dignity and enhanceall the above-mentioned qualities, the trader must aspire to be meek and exemplary in his speech, withoutaggression, sarcasm or any sign of spiritual discomfort, which, according to Cicero, must not be a charactertrait of a reasonable individual. In addition, his manner of walking must not be too casual, but moderateand solemn. If he upholds these virtues, and the directions given in this chapter as well as those thatwill be mentioned in the following ones, he will maintain the dignity and reputation inherent in his profession,as it is rightfully befitting.