Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.

No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.

No mortal thing can bear so high a price,
But that with mortal thing it may be bought.

There is gold for you. Sell me your good report.

There is gold for you. Sell me your good report.

Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.

Judges and senates have been bought for gold;
Esteem and love were never to be sold.

Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to importune,
He had not the method of making a fortune.

Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to importune,
He had not the method of making a fortune.

Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.

Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes.

But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.

But here more slow, where all are slaves to gold,
Where looks are merchandise, and smiles are sold.

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations read more

Flowery oratory he [Walpole] despised. He ascribed to the
interested views of themselves or their relatives the
declarations of pretended patriots, of whom he said, "All those
men have their price."

By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced read more

By gold all good faith has been banished; by gold our rights are
abused; the law itself is influenced by gold, and soon there will
be an end of every modest restraint.
[Lat., Auro pulsa fides. auro venalia jura,
Aurum lex sequitur, mox sine lege pudor.]