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.
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It is much better to have your gold in the hand than in the heart.
It is much better to have your gold in the hand than in the heart.
Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused.
Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused.
For gold in phisik is a cordial;
Therefore he lovede gold in special.
For gold in phisik is a cordial;
Therefore he lovede gold in special.
What female heart can gold despise?
What cat's averse to fish?
What female heart can gold despise?
What cat's averse to fish?
One secures the gold of the spirit when he finds himself.
One secures the gold of the spirit when he finds himself.
You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of
thorns--you shall not crucify mankind upon read more
You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of
thorns--you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!
Every honest miller has a golden thumb.
Every honest miller has a golden thumb.
Accursed thirst for gold! what dost thou not compel mortals to
do?
[Lat., Quid non mortalia pectora cogis,
read more
Accursed thirst for gold! what dost thou not compel mortals to
do?
[Lat., Quid non mortalia pectora cogis,
Auri sacra fames?]
Stronger than thunder's winged force
All-powerful gold can speed its course;
Through watchful guards its passage make,
read more
Stronger than thunder's winged force
All-powerful gold can speed its course;
Through watchful guards its passage make,
And loves through solid walls to break.
[Lat., Aurum per medios ire satellites
Et perrumpere amat saxa potentius
Ictu fulmineo.]
