By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
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By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if me my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honor,
I am the most offending soul alive.

When workmen strive to do better than well,
They do confound their skill in covetousness,
And oftentimes read more

When workmen strive to do better than well,
They do confound their skill in covetousness,
And oftentimes excusing of a fault
Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse,
As patches set upon a little breach
Discredit more in hiding of the fault
Than did the fault before it was so patched.

True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves.
[Lat., Verum est aviditas dives, et pauper pudor.]

True it is that covetousness is rich, modesty starves.
[Lat., Verum est aviditas dives, et pauper pudor.]

Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness.

Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness.

We covet what is guarded; the very care invokes the thief. Few
love what they may have.
[Lat., read more

We covet what is guarded; the very care invokes the thief. Few
love what they may have.
[Lat., Quicquid servatur, cupimus magis: ipsaque furem
Cura vocat. Pauci, quod sinit alter, amant.]