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Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, read more
Commerce has set the mark of selfishness,
The signet of its all-enslaving power
Upon a shining ore, and called it gold;
Before whose image bow the vulgar great,
The vainly rich, the miserable proud,
The mob of peasants, nobles, priests, and kings,
And with blind feelings reverence the power
That grinds them to the dust of misery.
But in the temple of their hireling hearts
Gold is a living god, and rules in scorn
All earthly things but virtue.
What female heart can gold despise?
What cat's averse to fish?
What female heart can gold despise?
What cat's averse to fish?
Gold's father is dirt, yet it regards itself as noble.
Gold's father is dirt, yet it regards itself as noble.
Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
read more
Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
[Fr., L'or donne aux plus laids certain charme pour plaire,
Et que sans lui le reste est une triste affaire.]
As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time
As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time
Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.
Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.
An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.
An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.
Gold does not rust on the ground, and rocks don't get soaked in the rain.
Gold does not rust on the ground, and rocks don't get soaked in the rain.
Not Philip, but Phillip's gold, took the cities of Greece.
Not Philip, but Phillip's gold, took the cities of Greece.
