Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
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Gold gives to the ugliest thing a certain charming air,
For that without it were else a miserable affair.
[Fr., L'or donne aux plus laids certain charme pour plaire,
Et que sans lui le reste est une triste affaire.]

What nature wants, commodious gold bestows;
'Tis thus we cut the bread another sows.

What nature wants, commodious gold bestows;
'Tis thus we cut the bread another sows.

Not Philip, but Phillip's gold, took the cities of Greece.

Not Philip, but Phillip's gold, took the cities of Greece.

An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.

An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.

Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.

Though wisdom cannot be gotten with gold, still less can it be gotten without it.

Gold is a vain and foolish fancy.
[Fr., L'or est une chimere.]

Gold is a vain and foolish fancy.
[Fr., L'or est une chimere.]

There is thy gold; worse poison to men's souls, Doing more murther in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds read more

There is thy gold; worse poison to men's souls, Doing more murther in this loathsome world, Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell:.

Stronger than thunder's winged force
All-powerful gold can speed its course;
Through watchful guards its passage make,
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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.]

A thirst for gold,
The beggar's vice, which can but overwhelm
The meanest hearts.

A thirst for gold,
The beggar's vice, which can but overwhelm
The meanest hearts.