# Epigraph explained — Unto This Last

> Chapter companion for Unto This Last by John Ruskin.

## What happens

The epigraph presents two biblical quotations that frame the book's moral argument: the first from the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, emphasizing justice over fairness, and the second from Zechariah, alluding to the valuation and betrayal of worth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice Over Expediency

The epigraph's first quotation challenges conventional ideas of fairness, asserting a higher standard of justice based on agreement and generosity.

### True Nature of Wealth

The second quotation highlights the mispricing of value, foreshadowing the book's critique of how society measures worth.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The voice presenting the epigraph, drawing on scripture to introduce themes of justice and value.

## Key lines

> Friend, I do thee no wrong. Did’st not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way. I will give unto this last even as unto thee.

I have not treated you unfairly; you agreed to a wage and received it. I choose to be generous to others as well.

_This paraphrase captures the essence of the parable's lesson on justice and grace._

> If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

If you consider it right, pay me what I am worth; if not, do nothing. Yet they valued me at only thirty pieces of silver.

_This paraphrase highlights the theme of undervaluation and the failure to recognize true worth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unto_this_last_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters