Chapter 4, The Estate-Manager Summary and Analysis

The estate-manager concerns economics, though it lacks a deep analysis of economic concepts. However, there are some reflections on the origin of societies and civilization. It is also not an agricultural textbook, though agriculture plays a major part in the book. Instead, it is probably a simple treatise on the estate-owner's activities, about how he should behave and treat others.

However, the book is a Socratic dialogue and so Socratic themes come out. For instance, being a good estate-manager is part of what it is to be truly good, which again involves self-discipline. Farming teaches men self-discipline, the many virtues and trains people to desire to protect their country and do it well. It also teaches men to rule others.

Socrates' analogy between internal and external freedom is developed. Being a good ruler means having knowledge of...