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.

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

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

Then there is that glorious Epicurean paradox, uttered by my
friend, the Historian in one of his flashing moments: read more

Then there is that glorious Epicurean paradox, uttered by my
friend, the Historian in one of his flashing moments: "Give us
the luxuries of life, and we will dispense with its necessaries."

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.

The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to do.

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.

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.

It is impossible to overdo luxury

It is impossible to overdo luxury

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 ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.