Dame Nature gave him comeliness and health,
And Fortune (for a passport) gave him wealth.

Dame Nature gave him comeliness and health,
And Fortune (for a passport) gave him wealth.

Who hath not heard the rich complain
Of surfeits, and corporeal pain?
He barr'd from every use read more

Who hath not heard the rich complain
Of surfeits, and corporeal pain?
He barr'd from every use of wealth,
Envies the ploughman's strength and health.

And to hie him home, at evening's close,
To sweet repast, and calm repose.
. . . read more

And to hie him home, at evening's close,
To sweet repast, and calm repose.
. . . .
From toil we wins his spirits light,
From busy day the peaceful night;
Rich, from the very want of wealth,
In heaven's best treasures, peace and health.

A learned man has always wealth in himself.

A learned man has always wealth in himself.

Let none admire
That riches grow in hell; that soil may best
Deserve the precious bane.

Let none admire
That riches grow in hell; that soil may best
Deserve the precious bane.

I have no riches but my thoughts Yet these are wealth enough for me.

I have no riches but my thoughts Yet these are wealth enough for me.

Riches are deservedly despised by a man of honor, because a
well-stored chest intercepts the truth.
[Lat., Opes read more

Riches are deservedly despised by a man of honor, because a
well-stored chest intercepts the truth.
[Lat., Opes invisae merito sunt forti viro,
Quia dives arca veram laudem intercipit.]

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

You often ask me, Priscus, what sort of person I should be, if I
were to become suddenly rich read more

You often ask me, Priscus, what sort of person I should be, if I
were to become suddenly rich and powerful. Who can determine
what would be his future conduct? Tell me, if you were to become
a lion, what sort of a lion would you be?