Last updated on July 21, 2013
Much like the content of Monday’s post, this has been in my “to-blog” file ever since I went on sabbatical in Belgium in 2009-2010 and read The Swiss Family Robinson, a book rich in social science content.
The following is from the original 1816 English translation, chapter 18. The emphasis is mine.
As we walked along, Fritz asked me if this handsome shell was of the kind so much valued in Europe for making into boxes, combs, &c.? and if it was not a pity to use it for a water-tub?
I replied that in our deserted situation the utility of a thing formed its greatest, and indeed only value. According to this way of reasoning then, were your water-tub of diamonds, it would be of no more worth to us than the rudest stone, if in such a form as to be able to contain water.