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.

To treat a poor wretch with a bottle of Burgundy, and fill his
snuff-box, is like giving a pair read more

To treat a poor wretch with a bottle of Burgundy, and fill his
snuff-box, is like giving a pair of laced ruffles to a man that
has never a shirt on his back.

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

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

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

It is impossible to overdo luxury

It is impossible to overdo luxury

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.

Living in the lap of luxury isn't bad, except that you never know when luxury is going to stand up

Living in the lap of luxury isn't bad, except that you never know when luxury is going to stand up

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.

Luxury and dissipation, soft and gentle as their approaches are,
and silently as they throw their silken chains about read more

Luxury and dissipation, soft and gentle as their approaches are,
and silently as they throw their silken chains about the heart,
enslave it more than the most active and turbulent vices.