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.

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.

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.

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.

Anger is an expensive luxury in which only men of certain income can indulge.

Anger is an expensive luxury in which only men of certain income can indulge.

It is impossible to overdo luxury

It is impossible to overdo luxury

The media is constantly redefining what luxury is. Luxury can be
a dirty sock if dressed up in the read more

The media is constantly redefining what luxury is. Luxury can be
a dirty sock if dressed up in the right way.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

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.