Utopia

PREFACE TO PETER GILLES

A 3

...at one time I am pleading a case, at another hearing one; at one time I am settling a matter as an arbitrator An "arbiter" was a legal role where a person decided a case based on equity and fairness rather than the strict letter of the law., at another deciding it as a judge; while this person is visited for the sake of duty, and that one for business. While I devote almost the whole day outdoors to others, and the remainder to my own family, I leave nothing for myself—that is, for my studies original: "literis." To a Renaissance humanist like More, "letters" meant the pursuit of literature, philosophy, and writing.. Indeed, once I have returned home, I must chat with my wife, prattle with my children, and talk with the servants. I count all these things among my duties negotia More uses the Latin word "negotia" (business/tasks), which is the opposite of "otium" (leisure). For More, even family time is a form of work that prevents the "leisure" required for writing., since it is necessary to do them—and necessary it is, unless you wish to be a stranger in your own home. You must take every care to make yourself as pleasant as possible to those whom nature has provided, or chance has made, or you yourself have chosen to be the companions of your life; provided you do not spoil them with too much kindness or, through indulgence, turn your servants into your masters. Among these things I have mentioned, the day, the month, and the year slip away. When, therefore, do I find time to write? And meanwhile I have said nothing of sleep, nor even of food, which for many consumes no less time than sleep itself.