Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive hindrances to read more

Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.

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.

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

War destroys men, but luxury destroys mankind; at once corrupts the body and the mind.

War destroys men, but luxury destroys mankind; at once corrupts the body and the mind.

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree.

O Luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree.

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.

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.