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.

Luxury may possibly contribute to give bread to the poor; but if there were no luxury, there would be no read more

Luxury may possibly contribute to give bread to the poor; but if there were no luxury, there would be no poor.

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

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

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.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

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.

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.