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abundance； such as water and earth； but has laid up and hid from
us the things that are vain and useless。
If these metals were laid up in any tower in the kingdom； it would
raise a jealousy of the Prince and Senate； and give birth to that
foolish mistrust into which the people are apt to fall； a jealousy
of their intending to sacrifice the interest of the public to
their own private advantage。 If they should work it into vessels
or any sort of plate； they fear that the people might grow too
fond of it； and so be unwilling to let the plate be run down if a
war made it necessary to employ it in paying their soldiers。 To
prevent all these inconveniences； they have fallen upon an
expedient； which； as it agrees with their other policy； so is it
very different from ours； and will scarce gain belief among us；
who value gold so much and lay it up so carefully。 They eat and
drink out of vessels of earth； or glass； which make an agreeable
appearance though formed of brittle materials： while they make
their chamber…pots and close…stools of gold and silver； and that
not only in their public halls； but in their private houses： of
the same metals they likewise make chains and fetters for their
slaves； to some of which； as a badge of infamy； they hang an ear…
ring of gold； and make others wear a chain or coronet of the same
metal； and thus they take care； by all possible means； to render
gold and silver of no esteem。 And from hence it is that while
other nations part with their gold and silver as unwillingly as if
one tore out their bowels； those of Utopia would look on their
giving in all they possess of those （metals； when there was any
use for them） but as the parting with a trifle； or as we would
esteem the loss of a penny。 They find pearls on their coast； and
diamonds and carbuncles on their rocks； they do not look after
them； but； if they find them by chance； they polish them； and with
them they adorn their children； who are delighted with them； and
glory in them during their childhood； but when they grow to years；
and see that none but children use such baubles； they of their own
accord； without being bid by their parents； lay them aside； and
would be as much ashamed to use them afterward as children among
us； when they come to years； are of their puppets and other toys。
I never saw a clearer instance of the opposite impressions that
different customs make on people； than I observed in the
ambassadors of the Anemolians； who came to Amaurot when I was
there。 As they came to treat of affairs of great consequence； the
deputies from several towns met together to wait for their coming。
The ambassadors of the nations that lie near Utopia； knowing their
customs； and that fine clothes are in no esteem among them； that
silk is despised； and gold is a badge of infamy； used to come very
modestly clothed； but the Anemolians； lying more remote； and
having had little commerce with them； understanding that they were
coarsely clothed； and all in the same manner； took it for granted
that they had none of those fine things among them of which they
made no use； and they being a vainglorious rather than a wise
people； resolved to set themselves out with so much pomp； that
they should look like gods； and strike the eyes of the poor
Utopians with their splendor。 Thus three ambassadors made their
entry with 100 attendants； all clad in garments of different
colors； and the greater part in silk； the ambassadors themselves；
who were of the nobility of their country； were in cloth…of…gold；
and adorned with massy chains； ear…rings； and rings of gold： their
caps were covered with bracelets set full of pearls and other
gems： in a word； they were set out with all those things that；
among the Utopians； were the badges of slavery； the marks of
infamy； or the playthings of children。
It was not unpleasant to see； on the one side； how they looked
big； when they compared their rich habits with the plain clothes
of the Utopians； who were come out in great numbers to see them
make their entry： and； on the other； to observe how much they were
mistaken in the impression which they hoped this pomp would have
made on them。 It appeared so ridiculous a show to all that had
never stirred out of their country； and had not seen the customs
of other nations； that though they paid some reverence to those
that were the most meanly clad； as if they had been the
ambassadors； yet when they saw the ambassadors themselves； so full
of gold and chains； they looked upon them as slaves； and forbore
to treat them with reverence。 You might have seen the children；
who were grown big enough to despise their playthings； and who had
thrown away their jewels； call to their mothers； push them gently；
and cry out； 〃See that great fool that wears pearls and gems； as
if he were yet a child。〃 While their mothers very innocently
replied； 〃Hold your peace； this； I believe； is one of the
ambassador's fools。〃 Others censured the fashion of their chains；
and observed that they were of no use； for they were too slight to
bind their slaves； who could easily break them； and besides hung
so loose about them that they thought it easy to throw them away；
and so get from them。
But after the ambassadors had stayed a day among them； and saw so
vast a quantity of gold in their houses； which was as much
despised by them as it was esteemed in other nations； and beheld
more gold and silver in the chains and fetters of one slave than
all their ornaments amounted to； their plumes fell； and they were
ashamed of all that glory for which they had formerly valued
themselves； and accordingly laid it aside； a resolution that they
immediately took； when on their engaging in some free discourse
with the Utopians； they discovered their sense of such things and
their other customs。 The Utopians wonder how any man should be so
much taken with the glaring doubtful lustre of a jewel or a stone；
that can look up to a star or to the sun himself； or how any
should value himself because his cloth is made of a finer thread：
for how fine soever that thread may be； it was once no better than