It is therefore a mark of inferiority, and therefore comes to be accounted unworthy of man in his best estate.

By virtue of this tradition labour is felt to be debasing, and this tradition has never died out.

On the contrary, with the advance of social differentiation it has acquired the axiomatic force due to ancient and unquestioned prescription.
In order to gain and to hold the esteem of men it is not sufficient merely to possess wealth or power.

The wealth or power must be put in evidence, for esteem is awarded only on evidence.

And not only does the evidence of wealth serve to impress one's importance on others and to keep their sense of his importance alive and alert, but it is of scarcely less use in building up and preserving one's self-complacency.
In all but the lowest stages of culture the normally constituted man is comforted and upheld in his self-respect by "decent surroundings" and by exemption from "menial offices".