Concerning the Best State

of a Commonwealth
St. Thomas More
The Learning of
Utopia
 They mastered GREEK very
rapidly, benefitting little from
similarities between their language
and Greek (and Persian). Utopia may
once have been a Greek Colony
On my voyage I had brought a
supply of the best Classical books,
which they embraced. Although a
very healthy people, they especially
like to study medicine
 From general description we
provided, they mastered paper-
making and printing
 They would gladly learn more
from other nations but have few
opportunities
Their Slaves
 Their slaves are those who have
committed a great crime and
those who, having been
condemned to death in foreign
lands, are cheaply purchased by
utupian merchants
 Utopians condemned to slavery
are treated more harshly than
foreigners. Having received a
sound education, they have less
excuse for their crimes
 The poor of neighbouring volunteer
to be slaves and are treated well.
Their Deaths
 Thus euthanasia (by not eating or
taking opium) is sanctioned by
their religion and is considered
honorable
 Those who are dying receive
tender care. If they are suffering
they are encourage to end their
lives
Their Marriage
 To marry women must be 18 and
men 22. Sex before marriage is a
serious offense and a disgrace to
the families. If promiscuity was
permitted, no one would marry
 Before marriage, the Bride and
the Bridegroom appear to each
other naked. Men should not be
deceived by a bride with
deformities hidden by her
clothing
 Divorce is strongly discouraged
except for infidelity or
insufferable behaviour. The
offending party cannot remarry.
 No one can divorce because their
partner has suffered illness
 Incompatible couples can
divorce and remarry, but only
after careful inquiry by the
senate.
 Infidelity is punished by
slavery . Sometimes the injured
party, still in love, follows their
spouse into slavery, after which
mercy may be shown
Their Laws &
Punishments
 Other than these sexual offense,
punishments are determined by
the senate case by case.
Husbands are allowed to
discipline their wives and
children.
 The worst crimes are punished
by slavery ,not death . Slavery
benefits the public and is a more
visible form of deterrence
 To attempt seduction is as much
a crime as to succeed in it. To
attempt any crime and fall is
morally no better than actually
committing the crime.
 They enjoy fools and are
expected to treat them well. It is
shameful to ridicule.
 They encourage public virtue,
live in harmony, require their
officeholders to be modest, and
do not permit campaigning for
office.
 They have few laws and no
lawyers (who primarily distort
true justice). Citizen's plead their
cases before judges using simple
language