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.

I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the read more

I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it.

On the soft bed of luxury most kingdoms have expired.

On the soft bed of luxury most kingdoms have expired.

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

Falsely luxurious, will not man awake?

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 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.

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

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

Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - read more

Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.