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.

Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey
in her mouth, gall in her heart, and read more

Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey
in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail.

Give us the luxuries of life, and we will dispense with its necessaries.

Give us the luxuries of life, and we will dispense with its necessaries.

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.

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.

Luxury is the first, second and third cause of the ruin of republics. It is the vampire which soothes us read more

Luxury is the first, second and third cause of the ruin of republics. It is the vampire which soothes us into a fatal slumber while it sucks the lifeblood of our veins.

Like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

Like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

The greatest luxury of riches is, that they enable you to escape so much good advice.

The greatest luxury of riches is, that they enable you to escape so much good advice.

What think you, if he were conveyed to bed,
Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
read more

What think you, if he were conveyed to bed,
Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
A most delicious banquet by his bed,
And brave attendants near him when he wakes,
Would not the beggar then forget himself?