A master cannot view his slaves as mindless objects but then blame them when something goes wrong, for if they are just mindless objects then the master should be to blame seeing as his own definition implies they have no capability to think. Slaves must be treated and controlled with care.
They may be your property as Cato insists but don't forget they have minds as well, which are harder to control.
There is no simple answer as to how masters should control their slaves.
