There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors. This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry.

Summary

This quote suggests that there are three ways for a nation to acquire wealth: war, commerce, and agriculture. It argues that war and commerce are dishonest methods, as they involve plundering and cheating respectively. In contrast, agriculture is seen as the only honest way to gain wealth. It emphasizes the miraculous nature of farming, where the seed sown into the ground yields a tangible increase as a result of the virtuous and industrious life of the farmer. Ultimately, the quote promotes the idea that honest agricultural practices are a favorable means to attain prosperity.

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