Now, _labor is wealth_.

It is plain that I will ruin myself if I pick up this stranded board.

It is important to protect my _personal labor_, and now that I think of it, I can create myself additional labor by kicking this board back into the sea." -- But this reasoning was absurd! -- Certainly.

Nevertheless it is that adopted by every nation which _protects_ itself by prohibition.

It rejects the plank which is offered it in exchange for a little labor, in order to give itself more labor.
It sees a gain even in the labor of the custom house officer.