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at a vast expense is neglected by another； who thinks he has a
more delicate sense of the beauties of architecture； and he
suffering it to fall to ruin； builds another at no less charge。
But among the Utopians all things are so regulated that men very
seldom build upon a new piece of ground； and are not only very
quick in repairing their houses； but show their foresight in
preventing their decay： so that their buildings are preserved very
long； with but little labor； and thus the builders to whom that
care belongs are often without employment； except the hewing of
timber and the squaring of stones； that the materials may be in
readiness for raising a building very suddenly when there is any
occasion for it。
As to their clothes； observe how little work is spent in them：
while they are at labor； they are clothed with leather and skins。
cast carelessly about them； which will last seven years； and when
they appear in public they put on an upper garment； which hides
the other； and these are all of one color； and that is the natural
color of the wool。 As they need less woollen cloth than is used
anywhere else； so that which they make use of is much less costly。
They use linen cloth more； but that is prepared with less labor；
and they value cloth only by the whiteness of the linen or the
cleanness of the wool； without much regard to the fineness of the
thread： while in other places； four or five upper garments of
woollen cloth； of different colors； and as many vests of silk；
will scarce serve one man； and while those that are nicer think
ten are too few； every man there is content with one； which very
often serves him two years。 Nor is there anything that can tempt a
man to desire more； for if he had them； he would neither be the
warmer nor would he make one jot the better appearance for it。 And
thus； since they are all employed in some useful labor； and since
they content themselves with fewer things； it falls out that there
is a great abundance of all things among them： so that it
frequently happens that； for want of other work； vast numbers are
sent out to mend the highways。 But when no public undertaking is
to be performed； the hours of working are lessened。 The
magistrates never engage the people in unnecessary labor； since
the chief end of the constitution is to regulate labor by the
necessities of the public； and to allow all the people as much
time as is necessary for the improvement of their minds； in which
they think the happiness of life consists。