Liber II, Pars III — Quomodo distinguenda sunt organa gubernationis domus, et qualiter ad invicem comparantur. Cap. II.

Liber II, Pars III — Quomodo distinguenda sunt organa gubernationis domus, et qualiter ad invicem comparantur. Cap. II.

The philosopher first reduces all the instruments of household governance to a twofold distinction. He says that some are animated, like servants, while others are inanimate, like possessions, coins, clothing, and other furnishings that serve the needs of life. For just as we see in other arts, so (according to the philosopher) it holds true in the governance of a household. In other arts, there is a double instrument, both animated and inanimate, as in the art of governing ships, where the inanimate instrument is like a rudder. The rudder is either a steering oar or a paddle: it is like an animated thing, and there is a rower or a helmsman present. So in the governance of a household, the inanimate instruments include clothing, beds, possessions, and coins; while the animated ones are the servants and ministers. Therefore, all such instruments are related, because each one is in some way a possessed thing; they differ, however, because these are animated, while those are inanimate. Having seen how the instruments of household governance are distinguished, it remains to show how they relate to one another. According to the Philosopher, such organs must be arranged in relation to one another, so that one organ is before another, with the animated organ placed before the inanimate one. For if the household is a natural society, and everything in nature is arranged so that the lower ranks are governed by the higher, receiving their measure and order from them, then the organs of the household must be arranged accordingly, with the lower organs, being inanimate, needing to be moved and managed by the higher organs, which are animated. This is what the Philosopher declares in Book I. In Book I. Similarly, in other arts, it is suggested that the plectra do not play the lyre by themselves, nor do the combs comb themselves. Therefore, to play the lyre, the plectrum needs a moving minister, and to comb, the comb needs a mover as well. Thus, if the plectra could play the lyre by themselves, and the combs could comb themselves, there would be no need for architects or ministers, nor for masters or servants. Therefore, architects and masters need servants and ministers, or they need animated organs, because inanimate organs cannot perform their function by themselves, which they were made for. For if the tripods and tables of kings and princes, or even those of others, were like the tripods in a certain temple, about which some fabulous poets said that they spontaneously offered themselves for daily services; and if all the organs of the house were like the statue of Daedalus, which the Philosopher recounts fabulously in the Politics, which fulfilled its duty by itself; there would be no need for servants, but the tables would prepare themselves; and if there were an opportunity, the doors would open and close by themselves; but since it is not so, inanimate organs cannot move themselves. Therefore, lords and architects need ministers and servants to move inanimate organs according to their direction, or organs lacking reason, so that they can fulfill their proper work. For it is unworthy for the supreme to administer the lowest directly: but the law of the universe is that the lowest should be administered by the highest through the middle. The highest, however, seem to be in charge of every matter. The architects and lords: the lowest are indeed inanimate organs; the middle are the ministers and servants, who are like certain animated organs. It is unworthy, however, for lords and architects to be the preparers of tables themselves, or to be doorkeepers, or to perform any such tasks; but it is more fitting that these things be done through middle ministers. In a complete house, therefore, both types of organs are necessary, animated and inanimate: how they relate to each other is evident from what has been said: for animated ones are inanimate, and these must be administered and moved by those, so that they can fulfill their proper works.