On the soft bed of luxury most kingdoms have expired.

On the soft bed of luxury most kingdoms have expired.

One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.

One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt:
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt:
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

Sofas 'twas half a sin to sit upon,
So costly were they; carpets, every stitch
Of workmanship read more

Sofas 'twas half a sin to sit upon,
So costly were they; carpets, every stitch
Of workmanship so rare, they make you wish
You could glide o'er them like a golden fish.

Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury--to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of read more

Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury--to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for every one, best for both the body and the mind.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Fell luxury! more perilous to youth
Than storms or quicksands, poverty of chains.

Fell luxury! more perilous to youth
Than storms or quicksands, poverty of chains.

It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they read more

It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn't hear the barbarians coming.

Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - read more

Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.