You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair.

You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair.

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.

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.

For thence,--a paradox
Which comforts while it mocks,--
Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail:
read more

For thence,--a paradox
Which comforts while it mocks,--
Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail:
What I aspired to be,
And was not, comforts me:
A brute I might have been, but would not sink i' the scale.

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.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.

Blesses his stars, and thinks it luxury.

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

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt:
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt:
It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.