o an
end in time and thus not with life in the world. Since, as we said, all
that is temporal concerns distinction and wealth, it is important to know
the following: what, and whence, distinction and wealth are; the nature
of the love of them for themselves and the nature of the love of them for
the sake of use; that these two loves are distinct from each other, as
hell and heaven are; and that man hardly knows the difference between
them. But of these points one by one.

[2] _First: What, and whence, distinction and wealth are._ Distinction
and wealth in the most ancient times were quite different from what they
gradually became later. Distinction in those times existed only in the
relation of parents and children and was one of love, a love full of
respect and veneration, accorded the parents not because of birth from
them, but because of the instruction and wisdom received from them, which
was a second birth of the children, in itself spiritual, being of their
spirit. This was the sole distinction in most ancient days because
tribes, families, and households dwelt separately and not like today
under governments. The distinction attached to the head of the family.
Men of old called the times golden ages.

[3] But after those times the love of ruling, just out of enjoyment of
that love, crept in by stages, and as enmity and hostility did so at the
same time towards those who were unwilling to submit, tribes, families,
and households congregated of necessity in communities and set over
themselves one whom they called judge at first, then prince, and finally
king and emperor. They also began to protect themselves by towers,
earthworks and walls. The lust of ruling spread like a contagion to many
from the judge, prince, king or emperor as from the head into the body,
and as a result degrees of distinction arose and prestige according to
them, and self-love also and pride in one's own prudence.

[4] The same thing happened with the love of riches. In the most ancient
days when tribes and families lived by themselves, there was no other
love of riches than to possess the necessaries of life which they
provided for themselves from flocks and herds and from the lands, fields
and gardens which supplied their food. Suitable houses, furnished with
useful articles of every kind, and clothing were also among their
necessities of life. Parents, children and male and female servants,
making up the household, engaged in the care an